Pune woman orders free thali online, gets duped of ₹2 lakh

After an investigation, Khadak police station registered an FIR against Prakash Kumar, a resident of Munnar in Kerala, and his accomplices on Wednesday

A 38-year-old woman from Shukrawar Peth was duped of at least ₹2 lakh by a cyber crook who offered a free thali at Sukanta restaurant in the city. The incident took place on July 22, 2022, and a complaint was filed with the cyber police in the same year. After an investigation, Khadak police station registered an FIR against Prakash Kumar, a resident of Munnar in Kerala, and his accomplices on Wednesday.

A 38-year-old woman from Shukrawar Peth was duped of at least ₹2 lakh by a cyber crook who offered a free thali at Sukanta restaurant in the city (REPRESENTATIVE IMAGE)

According to the police, the scammer posted an advertisement for a free thali on a social media platform, which was seen by the complainant’s mother. The woman’s father then called the mobile number provided in the post, where the scammer collected information about the woman’s bank account and withdrew ₹1.99 lakh using her credit card. The woman’s father fell for the scam and realised he had been cheated only after the money was withdrawn from the victim’s account.

Senior police inspector Sangita Yadav is leading the investigation, and the police are trying to track down the accused and his accomplices.