A resident of Bagdu Kalan in Jind district, Haryana, was duped of ₹10.2 lakh after cybercriminals impersonated a close relative on Facebook, claiming to be in urgent need of funds in London. Police have registered a case and initiated an investigation.
The Elaborate Deception
According to the complaint lodged by the victim, identified as Bajrang, the fraud began on July 7 when he received a Facebook message from what appeared to be his wife’s maternal aunt’s son. The sender claimed he was stuck in London following a dispute that had landed him in a hospital. He further asserted that he urgently required ₹12 lakh for treatment and other expenses.
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To make the plea sound convincing, the scammer shared fabricated bank transfer slips worth ₹17 lakh and ₹9 lakh, claiming they were pending clearance and would be credited to his account within two days. The impersonator suggested Bajrang borrow money on interest if necessary to meet the urgent requirement.
Believing the story, Bajrang transferred amounts in multiple instalments between July 7 and 10, totalling ₹10.2 lakh.
Reality Unveiled
The fraud unraveled when the scammer demanded more money. Sensing something unusual, Bajrang contacted his wife’s maternal uncle, only to learn that the relative in question was safe and in good health. Realizing he had been conned, Bajrang promptly approached the Cyber Crime Police Station in Jind.
Authorities have registered a case under sections related to cheating and impersonation, and efforts are underway to trace the accused. Police have also urged citizens to verify any such emergency requests from relatives before transferring funds, especially if they originate from social media platforms.
This case adds to the growing list of cyber fraud incidents in Haryana, where criminals exploit social media to emotionally manipulate victims into transferring large sums of money. Officials stress the importance of independent verification and awareness to combat such scams.
