A shocking case of cyber fraud has emerged from Dhanori, where a resident fell prey to a sophisticated scam on the Telegram channel “Happcode.” The scammers had falsely offered work-from-home opportunities as part of their deceptive scheme, preying on the victim’s trust and exploiting it to her savings. The scam, which promised substantial financial returns in exchange for an initial investment, has resulted in a staggering financial loss for the victim.
According to reports, the victim was initially approached by the fraudsters who convinced her to invest ₹1000. They assured her that this initial payment would lead to significant financial gains. However, after the first payment, the scammers repeatedly demanded more money, using various pretexts and continuously promising that previous payments would be refunded. Trusting their assurances, she made a total of 13 transactions amounting to ₹362,680.
Despite her numerous payments, the promised returns never materialized. Frustrated and financially drained, the victim has filed a formal complaint on the cybercrime portal cybercrime.gov.in, with an acknowledgment number provided for further investigation.
Earlier in August, The Sinhgad Police filed a case against a cyber fraudster who impersonated a policeman and duped a 74-year-old man of ₹49.20 lakh. The accused intimidated the elderly victim over the phone, coercing him into transferring the money.
Rising cyber fraud is a growing concern in Pune and caution should be exercised while dealing with unknown people online.
The Pune City Cyber Cell has taken note of both incidents and is committed to investigating the case thoroughly.