Hyderabad resident loses Rs 2 lakhs in parcel scam by fake official
The victim was contacted by the caller claiming that her parcel, en route from Mumbai to Taiwan, had been seized in Mumbai
By Newsmeter Network Published on 13 Sep 2024 3:37 PM GMT
Hyderabad: A 39-year-old private employee from Hyderabad fell victim to cyber fraud after receiving a deceptive phone call regarding a supposed parcel seizure. The fraudster, posing as an official, threatened the woman with legal action, tricking her into disclosing sensitive financial information.
Details of the scam
The victim was contacted by the caller claiming that her parcel, en route from Mumbai to Taiwan, had been seized in Mumbai.
According to the fraudster, the parcel contained suspicious items, including five passports, five ATM cards, 4.2 kg of clothes, one laptop, $5,000 in cash, and 200 grams of MDMA. The victim was also provided with a fake parcel tracking ID.
The police said, the fraudster further intimidated the victim by alleging that a criminal case had been registered against her by the Narcotics Department for money laundering and involvement in a drug mafia. Under pressure, the victim revealed details about her bank account, disclosing a balance of Rs 2,17,000.
Victimās response and filing of complaint
After realising she had been scammed, the victim promptly filed an online complaint seeking assistance. The authorities have taken cognizance of the case, and the Cyberabad Police are urging people to remain vigilant against similar frauds.
Public advisory
The Cyber Crime Police have issued a public advisory urging citizens to exercise caution when receiving suspicious calls:
- Disconnect suspicious calls: If a call appears fraudulent, end it immediately and report the incident to the nearest police station.
- Beware of common scams: Fraudsters often use the names of reputed organizations like FedEx, BSNL and TRAI to trick victims.
- Psychological tactics: Scammers can manipulate emotions and create a sense of urgency to force victims into disclosing sensitive information.
- No contact through Skype: Law enforcement agencies do not initiate contact through Skype or demand money transfers to clear alleged legal issues.
- Donāt transfer money: Do not transfer funds to unknown accounts based on promises or threats from unknown individuals.
Reporting cybercrime
Anyone who falls victim to cybercrime can immediately contact the Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or register a complaint at the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. For emergency assistance, victims can call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
