A woman from a village in Haroli subdivision of Himachal Pradesh was duped of more than Rs 5 lakh. She fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a substantial amount of money. This incident yet again reminds us of the growing menace of online scams and the urgent need for heightened awareness and vigilance among internet users. On the complaint of the woman, the case is being investigated by the cyber cell.
How the Scam Unfolded
On August 1 and 2, a woman received calls from an unknown number. The caller claimed to be from the customs department and informed her that a parcel containing jewelry and cash had arrived from abroad. Surprised, as she had not ordered any package, the woman nonetheless found herself caught in the caller’s elaborate deception. The caller later contacted her again, stating that the parcel was held up in customs and that a fee needed to be paid for its release. Trusting his words, she completed an online transaction through a payment scanner. Following this, a relentless series of calls began, each time demanding more money under different pretexts. Despite her challenging domestic circumstances—including the treatment of an elderly family member the woman clung to hope that the purported cash and jewelry could offer some financial relief. Over time, she transferred more than five lakh rupees to accounts provided by the caller, even mortgaging her jewelry to raise funds. When she eventually expressed her inability to pay further, the calls turned threatening. It was then that she realized she had fallen victim to a large-scale cyber fraud. The woman and her family now remain deeply shaken by the ordeal.
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Police Response and Investigation
Upon learning about the fraud, the victim reported the matter and the door of the cyber cell. Confirming the entire matter, ASP Surendra Sharma said that an active investigation is underway to track down the perpetrators and recover the lost money. Law enforcement officials have urged residents to exercise caution while engaging with unknown contacts online and to verify the authenticity of any financial requests before taking action.