E-Paper
Man duped of Rs 73,000; mobile firm exec accused
Cyberspace today is filled with conmen who are ever-ready to dupe any ignorant user and, in fact, virtually anyone can fall a prey to cyber crime. A 24-year-old employee of an IT firm learnt this the hard way after he was duped of R73,000 allegedly by an executive of a cellular service provider company. Leena Dhankhar reports.
Cyberspace today is filled with conmen who are ever-ready to dupe any ignorant user and, in fact, virtually anyone can fall a prey to cyber crime. A 24-year-old employee of an IT firm learnt this the hard way after he was duped of Rs 73,000 allegedly by an executive of a cellular service provider company. A case was registered at DLF City Phase 2 police station.
Subhash Singh, a marketing executive with Cvent India Private Limited lives at a rented accommodation in Nathupur.
On January 28, Singh received a call from 121, the Airtel customer care, informing him about his number being selected in a lucky draw and that he was the winner of Rs 25 lakh.
He was asked to deposit tax of Rs 73,000 to claim his prize which he did in three accounts of ICICI bank. “The caller said my mobile number was selected as ‘legend’ number and Airtel had conducted some programme where I was declared as the winner. He provided me two mobile numbers (+923446898890 and +923359600880) originating in Pakistan and asked me to contact them and give my bank details,” said Singh.
An excited Singh immediately called the number and gave all his details. “They gave me three ICICI account numbers of Mohhamad, Ashiq and Asir and asked me to deposit R25,000 in each of the accounts. I deposited Rs 73,000 and when I reached home in the evening and informed it to my brother, he told me that I was duped. I called on that number but it was switched off,” added Singh.
“The preliminary investigation found that the facts given in the complaint were correct and the mobile numbers belonged to Pakistan. One of the accused is working with Airtel customer care services and will soon be arrested,” said inspector Suresh Kumar, in-charge, cyber cell.
