A retired Indian Army Colonel based in Pune has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing ₹5.3 lakh while attempting to book an “online puja.” The incident highlights the growing trend of fraudsters exploiting religious sentiments and digital platforms to carry out scams.
The complainant encountered a Facebook page named “Chanchala Mata Trust” which advertised the “online puja.” Lured by the offering, colonel proceeded to engage with the fraudsters. Over time, the perpetrators repeatedly demanded more money for the supposed online prayer. In a further attempt to deceive the colonel, they allegedly assured him of receiving a ring through “Amazon” service.
The continuous demands for money, coupled with the promise of a tangible item, kept the colonel engaged until he realized he had been defrauded. The Pune police have launched an investigation into the matter, focusing on the WhatsApp number used by the cyber criminals and the bank accounts into which the funds were transferred.
This case serves as a crucial reminder for individuals to exercise extreme caution when encountering online advertisements, especially those related to religious or spiritual services that demand financial transactions. Verifying the authenticity of such trusts or organizations through official channels before making any payments is highly advisable to prevent falling prey to similar scams.
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