A 27-year-old software engineer from Pune has fallen victim to a sophisticated online fraud, losing Rs 20 lakh in a parcel scam over the past two months. The victim filed a complaint on Saturday, alleging that the fraudsters, posing as officers from the Mumbai crime branch, tricked him into believing he was involved in a drug-related parcel case.
The scammers contacted the techie, claiming they had intercepted a parcel destined for Iran with his name as the sender. They alleged that the package contained drugs and initiated a fabricated investigation. Under the guise of this investigation, they obtained sensitive information including the victim’s Aadhaar and bank account details.
Furthering their deception, the fraudsters claimed that the techie’s account was being used for money laundering activities linked to a prominent businessman. They threatened him with arrest, even presenting a bogus arrest warrant. Fearing the consequences, the techie followed their instructions.
The fraudsters then exploited the victim’s Aadhaar and bank details to secure a pre-approved loan from a private bank. The loan amount was deposited into the techie’s account, only to be immediately transferred to various other accounts controlled by the scammers.
The police are currently investigating the case and trying to trace the flow of money. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of online scams and the importance of being vigilant against such fraudulent activities.
