Pune Woman Loses Rs 6.8 Lakh in Elaborate Biba Dress Scam
A 45-year-old woman from Aundh, Pune, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, losing a staggering Rs 6,82,024.05 after placing a simple cash-on-delivery order for a dress worth Rs 1,700 on the popular shopping portal Biba.in. The incident, which occurred in late December 2025, highlights the growing menace of online shopping scams targeting unsuspecting consumers.
The Initial Order and Fraudulent Call
According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed at the Chatushrungi police station, the woman selected a dress from Biba.in on December 24, 2025, opting for cash-on-delivery. The following day, she received a call from an individual posing as a Biba employee. The caller falsely claimed that her order was linked to an address in Nashik, where delivery services were unavailable. To resolve this, the fraudster provided her with a QR code and instructed her to make an online payment for the dress, assuring her that it would be delivered by an alternative partner.
The "Wrong Decimal" Trick Unfolds
The victim complied, making an initial online payment of Rs 1,700.05. Minutes later, the same person called back, stating that she had made an incorrect payment. The correct amount was allegedly Rs 1,700.50, and she was told that her earlier payment would be refunded. Trusting the caller, she transferred Rs 1,700.50 through a UPI transaction. However, the scam did not end there.
She received yet another call claiming the payment had not been received, and she needed to pay once more for the dress delivery, with assurances of refunds for previous transactions. This pattern repeated multiple times, leading the victim to transfer funds in a series of transactions over December 25 and 26, 2025.
Escalating Losses and Realization
In total, the woman made 10 online transactions, including five transactions each exceeding Rs 90,000, summing up to Rs 6,82,024.05. The money was transferred to various bank accounts, but her dress was never delivered. On December 27, the fraudster contacted her again, demanding an additional Rs 2 lakh, promising refunds for all previous payments. At this point, the victim grew suspicious and consulted her husband, who immediately recognized the scam.
Police Action and Investigation
The woman lodged a formal complaint at the Cyber police station of Pune City Police on December 28, 2025. After verification, the police registered a case on February 3, 2026, against unidentified fraudsters under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Sections 318 (4) and 319 (2), along with relevant sections of the Information Technology (IT) Act. Authorities have recorded the victim's statement and launched an investigation, focusing on the mobile phone numbers and bank accounts used by the scammers.
Key Takeaways for Consumers
- Verify Caller Identity: Always confirm the authenticity of calls claiming to be from e-commerce platforms by contacting official customer service.
- Avoid QR Code Payments for Unsolicited Requests: Be cautious of QR codes sent by unknown individuals, especially for payments related to orders.
- Monitor Transactions: Regularly check bank statements for unauthorized transactions and report discrepancies immediately.
- Educate Yourself on Common Scams: Awareness of tactics like the "wrong decimal" trick can help prevent falling victim to similar frauds.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities in online shopping and the need for heightened vigilance among consumers to protect themselves from cyber criminals.
