A private company employee in Pune has become the victim of a sophisticated online scam, losing Rs 12 lakh in ‘parcel scam’.
What exactly happened
As reported by The Hindu, the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly received a call from individuals claiming to be representatives of a courier service. They fabricated a story about a parcel supposedly sent by the victim to Taiwan containing illegal items – expired passports and a significant amount of drugs.
The scammers employed scare tactics, pressuring the victim into believing they would face legal repercussions if the ‘illegal’ parcel wasn’t cleared immediately.To further their ploy, they likely impersonated officials from various authorities, creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency.
In a state of panic, the victim was manipulated into making multiple online transactions under the guise of fees and penalties to ‘legalise’ the non-existent parcel. Only after realising the situation and the lack of any actual parcel did they understand they had been defrauded.
The victim has filed a complaint with the Pune Police, who have launched an investigation into the cyber fraud.
Tips to stay safe
Here are some tips which you should follow to stay safe online:
– Do not share personal information over the phone with unknown callers.
– Verify information directly with the source (courier service, authority).
– Never click on suspicious links or attachments in emails.
– Be wary of unsolicited calls demanding immediate action or financial transactions.
What exactly happened
As reported by The Hindu, the victim, who wished to remain anonymous, reportedly received a call from individuals claiming to be representatives of a courier service. They fabricated a story about a parcel supposedly sent by the victim to Taiwan containing illegal items – expired passports and a significant amount of drugs.
The scammers employed scare tactics, pressuring the victim into believing they would face legal repercussions if the ‘illegal’ parcel wasn’t cleared immediately.To further their ploy, they likely impersonated officials from various authorities, creating an atmosphere of fear and urgency.
In a state of panic, the victim was manipulated into making multiple online transactions under the guise of fees and penalties to ‘legalise’ the non-existent parcel. Only after realising the situation and the lack of any actual parcel did they understand they had been defrauded.
The victim has filed a complaint with the Pune Police, who have launched an investigation into the cyber fraud.
Tips to stay safe
Here are some tips which you should follow to stay safe online:
– Do not share personal information over the phone with unknown callers.
– Verify information directly with the source (courier service, authority).
– Never click on suspicious links or attachments in emails.
– Be wary of unsolicited calls demanding immediate action or financial transactions.