In a disheartening turn of events, a 52-year-old woman entrepreneur from Bengaluru found herself ensnared in a cyber scam, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs 2.7 crore. Despite ongoing efforts to raise awareness about such fraudulent schemes, incidents like these continue to plague unsuspecting individuals. Here’s a breakdown of what transpired in this unfortunate ordeal.
Between April 6 and April 22, the victim, lured by the promise of easy money, unwittingly became entangled in a deceptive scheme initiated through a link on her mobile phone.
Initially, she joined an Instagram group where she engaged in seemingly harmless activities like liking YouTube channels in exchange for monetary rewards. However, the situation quickly escalated when she was approached with investment opportunities promising to double her returns within a short timeframe. Tragically, her trust was exploited, leading to significant financial losses.
Upon realizing the gravity of the situation, the victim promptly reported the incident to cybercrime authorities. This action resulted in the tracing and freezing of the perpetrators’ bank accounts.
Despite the perpetrators operating through various platforms such as Instagram and Telegram, law enforcement agencies managed to trace the financial trail. With court authorization, Rs 1.7 crore is slated for return to the victim, with an additional Rs 30 lakh awaiting clearance.
The swift filing of a police complaint played a crucial role in facilitating the freezing of accounts. Police officials have noted this as one of the largest sums returned to a cybercrime victim in recent times.
To protect oneself against such scams, exercising caution is paramount. It is essential to approach offers promising quick returns with skepticism and vigilance. Verifying the legitimacy of investment opportunities and refraining from engaging with suspicious links or messages can help prevent falling victim to such schemes. Staying informed about common scam tactics and promptly reporting any suspicious activity to authorities are crucial steps in mitigating risks and increasing the chances of recovery.
