Pedagantyada: In a shocking incident, a woman residing in Pedagantyada fell victim to an online scam, losing a staggering sum of ₹20 lakh. The victim, whose identity remains undisclosed, filed a complaint with the local police, detailing the elaborate scheme that ensnared her.
According to the cybercrime police, the woman had struck up an online friendship with an individual who identified himself as Mike Paul Spencer, claiming to be a London-based doctor. Their initial interaction took place on a social media platform, eventually progressing to exchanging phone numbers. In November 2022, “Mike” informed the woman that he would be sending her a Christmas gift all the way from London.
Days later, the unsuspecting woman received a phone call from an individual purporting to be an ‘international airport customer service officer.’ The caller informed her that a package addressed to her had arrived from London. However, to take possession of the parcel, she would need to pay a processing fee amounting to ₹27,500. In an attempt to claim the gift, the woman contacted Mike, who corroborated the story and instructed her to make the payment.
Trusting the authenticity of the situation, the woman transferred the specified amount to the account provided by the supposed ‘customer service officer.’ Subsequently, she began receiving additional calls demanding larger sums of money, citing various charges such as customs clearance and air tax. Falling deeper into the ruse, the woman reportedly paid a total of ₹20 lakh before realizing she had been swindled.
Following her distressing discovery, the victim lodged a complaint with the local cybercrime police. Authorities promptly registered a case and formed investigative teams to apprehend the culprits behind the scam.
In a significant breakthrough, a team led by Cybercrime Inspector K. Bhavani Prasad received a tip-off and traveled to New Delhi on May 21. There, they successfully apprehended three individuals identified as Arun Kumar Jha (48) and Chandan Kumar (26) from Uttam Nagar, New Delhi, and Rohit Kumar (32) from South West Delhi.
Inspector Bhavani Prasad revealed that the mastermind behind the operation is believed to be of Nigerian origin. The investigation is currently ongoing, with efforts focused on capturing the main accused. The arrested individuals are being transported to Visakhapatnam under a transit warrant.
Instances of online scams and fraudulent activities have become increasingly prevalent, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and vigilance among internet users. Authorities advise individuals to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online and to refrain from sharing personal and financial information without proper verification.