A man from Gorakhpur's Khajni area recently lost a substantial sum of money, amounting to ₹15,20,399, in an elaborate cyber fraud. The victim, identified as Indralal Jaiswal of Khoria alias Bhiti village, was allegedly duped by a woman he befriended on Facebook who orchestrated an airport luggage scam.
The Deceptive Friendship Begins
According to Jaiswal's complaint, the woman introduced herself as Charlotte Olivia, claiming to be a US resident working in Syria. Their online friendship progressed, with the woman eventually expressing her desire to visit India. This seemingly innocent interaction laid the groundwork for the subsequent deception.
The Airport Luggage Scam Unfolds
The alleged scam began when the woman claimed to have arrived at Delhi airport but stated that her luggage had been detained by officials. She further alleged that authorities were demanding money for its release. Believing her story, Jaiswal began transferring funds from his SBI account using the bank's app to various bank accounts provided by the woman.
Over time, Jaiswal transferred a total of ₹15,20,399. However, the demands for more money continued, which eventually raised Jaiswal's suspicions. Realizing he had fallen victim to a sophisticated online scam, he promptly lodged a complaint on the national cybercrime portal and approached local police.
Police Investigation Underway
Police have registered an First Information Report (FIR) against an unidentified woman, using the name Charlotte Olivia mentioned by Jaiswal. Inspector Jayant Kumar Singh confirmed the registration of the FIR. Jaiswal has also provided transaction records and other evidence to the investigators. The cybercrime cell is actively examining the financial transactions and gathering details of the bank accounts allegedly involved in the fraud, as the investigation continues.