An ex-armyman from Ludhiana, Hardev Singh of Bassian village, fell victim to cyber fraud not just once, but twice within a span of just 15 days, losing a staggering amount of ₹45 lakh to fraudsters, officials reported. The incident left Singh devastated as he was deceived by scammers who promised him a bank loan and a lucrative opportunity to install a mobile tower on his rooftop.
According to Singh’s police complaint, he was initially contacted by an individual posing as a bank executive on July 21. The caller offered him a loan, which Singh agreed to for the purpose of getting his house painted. As he expressed interest, the scammer requested him to send over his documents. Subsequently, Singh was asked to transfer ₹2,250 as a processing fee, followed by an additional ₹6,450. The fraudster lured him with promises of securing a substantial loan at minimal interest rates, leading to Singh being duped of a whopping ₹18 lakh.
In a twist of fate, Singh received another call on August 4, this time from someone claiming to be an executive from Ansh Tower in Rohini, New Delhi. The caller enticed Singh with an opportunity to earn a fixed monthly income by allowing a mobile tower to be installed on his rooftop. To proceed, Singh was instructed to deposit a certain amount as security into multiple accounts, totaling ₹27 lakh. Assured that he would receive a refund once the tower installation was complete, Singh complied, only to realize later that he had been conned when the scammer ceased all communication.
The case was brought to the attention of the Ludhiana Rural cyber crime police station, resulting in the registration of a first-information report (FIR). Inspector Rupinder Kaur, who is handling the investigation, expressed suspicions that the same group of fraudsters targeted Singh twice due to his vulnerability. Charges were filed against the unidentified culprits under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology (IT) Act, relating to cheating, personation, forgery, and the use of forged documents or electronic records.
The unfortunate ordeal faced by Hardev Singh serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by cyber fraudsters who prey on unsuspecting individuals in search of financial assistance or business opportunities. As technology continues to advance, it is crucial for everyone to remain vigilant and exercise caution when engaging with unknown individuals or making financial transactions online to avoid falling victim to such scams.
In light of this incident, authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious calls or messages to the police and to refrain from sharing personal or financial information with strangers over the phone or online. By raising awareness about the prevalence of cyber fraud and taking proactive measures to safeguard personal information, individuals can better protect themselves from falling prey to fraudulent schemes and avoid the devastating financial losses experienced by Hardev Singh.