Pandit of Puranapool loses Rs 6 lakh in online scam

A 52-year-old Pandit of Puranapool lost Rs.6 lakh in an online fraud by impersonating an army official through payment apps. 

In a complaint, he said he received a call from a person two days ago introducing himself as captain Aman Kumar from Secunderabad Military Office stating that “Colonel Sir” health is not well and requested 21 pundits for a 11-day pooja and discussed an advance payment of Rs.3 lakh. For making advance payments, he will receive a video call.

Later, through a video call from another number, the fraudster tricked the victim into opening PhonePe and



Google Pay and following instructions under the pretext of transferring advance money. 

The fraudster first sent Rs.10 to gain trust and then directed the victim to enter various amounts using his credit card details and PIN. Believing it to be genuine, the victim followed the instructions and unknowingly authorized multiple transactions of Rs.2 lakh, Rs.1 lakh, Rs.5,000, Rs.1.99 lakh and Rs.95,000, which were deducted from his account instead of being credited.

In total, the victim lost Rs.5.99 lakh. Realising the fraud, the victim reported it through cyber help line number 1930.