How cybercriminals cheated Hyderabad student of Rs 2.6L on pretext of supplying avocados

Hyderabad: Cybercriminals defrauded a 23-year-old Hyderabad student of Rs 2.6 lakh on the pretext of supplying avocados from Vijayawada.

According to cybercrime officials, during the search for avocados online, the student found a Vijayawada-based source. Soon, he received a call from cybercriminals posing as the fruit export company's executives. The scammers promised to deliver the avocados but asked for money to cover fuel charges. The victim consented and transferred the money.

They then claimed that their delivery van had broken down and needed to be repaired. The victim once again paid them after they shared a picture purporting to be from the scene of an accident and asked for additional money. The scammers then claimed that they were only 10 kilometers from the delivery location but had been stopped by traffic police. Using this as a pretext, they asked for money again.

The victim covered the cost. To gain the victim's trust, they apologised and even sent a photo of a cheque to ensure payment. "The victim was asked to provide his bank account information for the refund," cybercrime officials said.

Initially, the victim was hesitant to transfer the money, but eventually transferred more money, believing the cheque was genuine.

However, the scammer continued to ask for money under various pretexts, including additional costs and GST avoidance through a third-party intermediary. When the victim refused to transfer any more money and questioned the fraudster, he was threatened with grave consequences and informed that the cheque would not be sent unless additional payments were made.

The victim filed a case after losing Rs 2.6 lakh and realising it was a fraud.

Cybercrime officials are conducting further investigations.