Srinagar, May 12 (KNS): Cyber Police Station Kashmir Zone, Srinagar received complaints from two men hailing from Bandipora and Awantipora area respectively, alleging that they have been defrauded by online scammers of an amount of Rs 44 lakh in online investment and trading scam.
According to a statement, issued to Kashmir News Service (KNS), both complainants received links of fake investment websites on their cell numbers wherein they were promised to get double monetary benefits.
It added that the victims fell prey and accessed the website where they got themselves registered on said websites by opening of e-wallets. “After registration, victims were made to transfer hefty amount of ?44 Lakhs in the said wallets through various UPI/IMPS transactions. The victims after depositing the said amounts were unable to get benefits and also were not able to withdraw even their own amounts from the said wallets. The complainants then tried hard to reach out on available contact details of said company but all in vain.”
It reads that accordingly, both complainants approached Cyber Police Kashmir Zone, Srinagar for redressal of their grievance. “Subsequently, the matter was taken up with bank authorities to ascertain the details of UPI/IMPS transactions. During analysis of transactions, it came to fore that the said amount had been settled through online payment gateways. The strenuous and timely intervention by the team of Cyber Police led to holding of the payment of ?44 Lakhs in two different payment gateways and later on, the whole amount also got refunded into both these victim’s bank accounts.”
It added that in another compliant received from one businessman hailing from Srinagar vicinity wherein the victim was cheated by online fraudsters on the pretext of transportation of goods, services through an e-Commerce company web portal.
“The complainant was looking for goods-carrier services to transport the goods of his firm. He searched through Google search engine in which an e-Commerce company’s web portal surfaced which was operated by Cyber Scammers. The complainant contacted on the cell numbers provided for the fake company wherein the fraudsters who picked up the call on the other end offered him to provide goods and services at low costs.”
It added that enticed by the offer, the complainant made online payment of ?16 Lakhs. “On receipt of the money, the complainant was not able to contact the company again. Upon realizing that he was cheated by fraudsters through the above fake web portal, the complainant approached Cyber Police for redressal of his grievance.”
It reads that accordingly, the matter was taken up with bank authorities to ascertain the details of transactions. “During analysis of transactions, it came to fore that the said hefty amount has been transferred through RTGS payment. Timely and strenuous intervention by the Cyber Police was able to hold the payment of ?16 Lakhs and later banking authorities were made to refund the whole amount into the complainant’s bank account.”
It further said that the general public is once again advised not to fall prey to such fake links and websites and avoid transferring any amount in any form as these are entirely fake. “Community members have hailed the prompt action of Cyber Police Kashmir Zone, Srinagar in saving the hard earned money of the victims.”
It reads that pertinently, acting tough against Cyber Criminals, Cyber Police Station, Kashmir has redressed large number of social media & financial fraud-related complaints and in the current year, an amount of ?1.50 crore (approx) was prevented from being swindled. (KNS)