Ujjain Cyber Scam: Two Residents Swindled of Over ₹1.74 Lakh
Cyber criminals target two Ujjain residents in separate scams involving UPI fraud and Instagram jewelry lures. Read more on how it happened.
The city of Ujjain has witnessed a surge in digital deception as two separate cyber fraud incidents left victims reeling after losing a combined total of ₹1,74,111. From unauthorized bank withdrawals to deceptive social media lures, cybercriminals employed different tactics to siphon money from unsuspecting citizens.
The UPI Nightmare: ₹1.13 Lakh Vanishes
In the first instance, 42-year-old Bharat Singh Chauhan, a broker residing in the Nagjhiri police station area, became the target of a sophisticated digital attack. On October 3, Chauhan discovered that a staggering sum of ₹1,13,811 had been illegally withdrawn from three of his bank accounts through unauthorized UPI transactions.
Realizing he had been defrauded, Chauhan acted swiftly by contacting his bank and reporting the crime via the national cyber helpline, 1930. His prompt response paid off; the bank was able to place a hold on approximately ₹1,60,000, allowing him to recover a portion of his stolen funds.
The Instagram Trap: Gold Jewelry Scam
While the first victim faced a technical breach, the second victim, Devki Yadav, fell prey to a psychological trap. Residing in the Dewas Gate police station area, Yadav was browsing Instagram on September 27 when she came across a video showcasing gold jewelry.
Enticed by the offer, she clicked on a link provided in the video. Shortly after, an unidentified individual contacted her, claiming that payments were required to facilitate the delivery of the jewelry. The scam unfolded in stages:
- The fraudster first demanded ₹12,150 as a "courier fee."
- This was followed by a series of other miscellaneous charges.
By the time Yadav realized she was being cheated, she had transferred a total of ₹60,300. Despite the payments, the promised jewelry never arrived. She has since filed a formal complaint with the IT cell and the 1930 cyber helpline.
Police Action and Public Warning
Local police authorities have officially launched investigations into both cases to trace the perpetrators. In light of these incidents, the police have issued a stern warning to the general public to stay vigilant against the evolving nature of digital crimes.
Safety Tips from Authorities:
- Avoid Suspicious Links: Do not click on links sent by unknown sources or featured in unsolicited social media advertisements.
- Verify Before Paying: Refrain from making online payments to individuals or entities without thorough verification.
- Report Immediately: In case of any fraudulent activity, victims are urged to call the 1930 helpline immediately to increase the chances of freezing the stolen funds.