Gurgaon Woman Loses Rs 98,000 to Elaborate Phone Scam

A 32-year-old woman from Sector 82 in Gurgaon has fallen victim to a sophisticated phone scam, losing a total of Rs 98,000. The incident occurred on November 4, 2023, when the woman, identified as Deepika, received a phone call from an unknown number. The caller claimed that a payment of Rs 12,000 intended for her husband was being transferred to her bank account.

Initially convinced by the caller, Deepika received SMS alerts purportedly confirming bank credits of Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000. Shortly thereafter, the same caller contacted her again, stating that Rs 30,000 had been mistakenly sent to her account. They pressured her to return Rs 18,000, and believing the story, Deepika transferred the amount to the caller’s bank account.

As the scam progressed, the caller continued to manipulate Deepika’s emotions. In the next conversation, they claimed that Rs 43,000 had inadvertently been sent to her. Under the pretense of urgency, she transferred another Rs 40,000. In a panic, thinking the payments might have failed, Deepika transferred an additional Rs 40,000, bringing her total loss to Rs 98,000.

It was only later that Deepika realized that no actual funds had been credited to her account, and the SMS notifications were fraudulent. In response to the incident, she lodged a complaint with the cyber crime helpline. A case was registered at the Cyber Police Station Manesar under Section 318(4) of the Indian Penal Code, which addresses cheating.

The case highlights the increasing sophistication of phone scams and the importance of vigilance when dealing with unexpected financial communications. Authorities are urging citizens to be cautious and verify any such claims through official channels before making financial transactions.