Secunderabad woman duped of Rs 1.3 lakh in online rental scam by fake army officer

Hyderabad: A 40-year-old homemaker from Secunderabad has fallen victim to a sophisticated online rental scam, losing Rs 1,30,980. The fraudster posed as an Army officer and manipulated her into transferring money under the guise of a "reversal mode" payment system.

The scam began when the victim posted an advertisement on the Quikr app to rent out her flat. An individual claiming to be an Army officer contacted her, stating that an Army accountant would handle the rental payment. He explained that the payment would be made in "reversal mode," requiring her to first pay a certain amount, which would then be refunded.

To gain her trust, the fraudster asked her to make a trial transfer of Rs 5, which was successfully credited back to her account. Encouraged by this, she proceeded to transfer larger amounts. However, instead of being refunded, these amounts were debited from her account. When she inquired, the fraudster claimed that delays on her part caused the process to fail and urged her to try again more promptly.

The victim continued to transfer money, eventually exhausting her bank account. The fraudster then sent a fake NEFT confirmation message, assuring her that the total amount would be credited within 24 hours. Believing him, she waited, but no money was received. Upon contacting him again, he claimed he would complete the process after reaching his office by 12 pm and requested her bank details.

Since her account had no balance, the payment attempt failed. He then asked her to deposit money into her account to facilitate the transaction. Still trusting him, she took out a loan and deposited money, but again, the amount was debited.

The fraudster reiterated that the total amount would be transferred within half an hour and sent another fake NEFT confirmation message. No money was credited, and when she tried to call him again, his phone was switched off. Realizing she had been deceived, the victim reported the incident and filed an online complaint seeking assistance.

Public Advisory:

Be cautious of fraudsters posing as Army personnel targeting individuals who post rental ads on platforms such as Quikr, OLX, and others. Anyone asking you to pay money to receive money is likely a scammer. Reversal mode and test transactions are not legitimate banking procedures. Fake NEFT receipts or screenshots can be easily generated to deceive victims.

Safety Tips:

Verify Identity: Always verify the identity of the person you're dealing with. Be wary of unsolicited communications.

Avoid Upfront Payments: Never send money upfront to unknown individuals.

Secure Transactions: Use secure and official channels for financial transactions.

Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraudulent activity, report it immediately to the authorities.

Contact Information:

Report Cyber Crimes: Visit www.cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930.

Emergency Assistance: For immediate help with cyber frauds, call or WhatsApp 8712665171.

Email: cybercrimesp

shyd@gmail.com