Pune Construction Firm Manager Falls Victim to Rs 20.9 Lakh Online Impersonation Scam
In a sophisticated cyber fraud incident in Pune, an online scammer posed as the owner of a prominent construction firm with projects across Mumbai, Pune, and other Indian cities. The impersonator successfully compelled the company's manager to transfer a substantial sum of Rs 20.9 lakh to a fraudulent bank account on January 8.
Police Complaint Lodged After Deceptive Transfer
The 54-year-old manager, a resident of Prabhat Road in Deccan who has been with the construction company for several years, filed a formal complaint of cheating with the Koregaon Park police on Friday. The firm operates its corporate office from the Koregaon Park area, adding a local dimension to the crime.
How the Elaborate Impersonation Scam Unfolded
According to the detailed police complaint, the fraudster initiated contact with the manager through a popular cellphone messaging application. Crucially, the display picture (DP) associated with the phone number used in the crime was identical to that of the actual company owner, lending an air of authenticity to the communication.
A senior police officer involved in the investigation explained the manipulative tactics employed. The scammer posed convincingly as the company's owner, sending a message to the manager claiming to be in an urgent business meeting that required immediate funds to finalize a critical deal. The fraudster created such a compelling sense of hurry and pressure that the manager genuinely believed he was communicating with his real boss.
Swift Transfer Under False Pretenses
The impersonator then proceeded to share specific bank account details through the messaging platform, instructing the manager to transfer the money without delay. Trusting the apparent authenticity of the request and influenced by the fabricated urgency, the company manager transferred the entire amount of Rs 20.9 lakh without attempting to verify the instructions directly with the actual owner.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of online financial frauds targeting corporate employees, where psychological manipulation combines with digital deception to bypass standard verification protocols. The Koregaon Park police are actively investigating the matter to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
