On April 28, Pune City Crime Police disclosed three alarming instances of cyber fraud, resulting in a collective loss of approximately Rs 13 lakhs for the victims. These incidents shed light on the pervasive threat of online scams targeting individuals in Pune.
Case 1: Money Laundering Ruse
A 19-year-old victim from Hadapsar Police Station area fell prey to a scam, losing Rs 9,16,253. The perpetrator, using a registered mobile phone, bank account, and WhatsApp, posed as an investigator probing a fictitious money laundering case involving the victim. Senior Inspector Modhave of the Crime Branch spearheads the investigation into this case.
Case 2: Deceptive Video Call Offer
In another incident, a 25-year-old resident of Lonikand suffered a loss of Rs 3,53,105 after receiving a fraudulent offer via WhatsApp. The victim was enticed with the promise of Rs 50 per video call and instructed to access specific video links, resulting in unauthorized bank transactions. Inspector Seema Dhakne from the Crime Branch is leading the investigation.
Case 3: Part-Time Job Deception
A 24-year-old victim from Keshavnagar, lodging a complaint at Mundhwa Police Station, reported a loss of Rs 4,85,900. The victim was lured into completing online tasks under the guise of securing a part-time job, leading to substantial financial repercussions. Inspector Babasaheb Nikam is overseeing the investigation into this case.
Pursuit of Unknown Perpetrators
All three incidents involve unidentified perpetrators, prompting ongoing efforts by law enforcement to track down and apprehend the accused. These cases underscore the critical need for cyber vigilance among Pune’s youth population to combat the growing threat of online fraud and safeguard against financial exploitation.
