Resident of Mandi Loses Rs. 36.5 Lakh in Cyber Fraud Scheme.

Shimla:

A resident of Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing Rs. 36.5 lakh after being threatened with false legal claims. The incident was reported to the Cyber Crime Police Station in Mandi, invoking relevant sections of the BNS and the IT Act.

According to ASP Manmohan Singh from the Cyber Crime Police Station Central Zone, the victim received a call from an unknown number, which claimed that his mobile number was linked to illegal activities and had resulted in 17 FIRs filed against him in Mumbai. The scammers sent fraudulent documents linked to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal, alleging the victim was involved with suspicious bank accounts and fake ATM cards.

They also produced counterfeit orders supposedly from the Supreme Court and the Reserve Bank of India, coercing the victim into signing a non-disclosure agreement. Posing as an IPS officer, the scammers pressured the victim to surrender his funds, assuring him that the money would be returned within three days.

When the promised funds failed to materialize, the victim attempted to reach the fraudsters but was met with silence. Realizing he had been scammed, he promptly reported the incident to the police. An investigation is currently underway, with local authorities issuing advisories to prevent similar occurrences.

ASP Singh urged residents to avoid answering calls from unknown numbers and to remain vigilant. He advised that individuals threatened in such a manner should not panic and should immediately report to the nearest police station. Before transferring any money, it is recommended to verify with the Cyber Helpline at 1930 or contact the Mandi Cyber Crime Police Station at 01905-226900 or via email at pscyber-cr@hp.gov.in.