Fraudsters cheat Hyderabad businessman of Rs. 2.6 Lakh over seed order
Hyderabad: A 61-year-old proprietor of a seeds and pesticides business fell victim to a sophisticated financial fraud orchestrated by two individuals posing as Indian Army officers. The victim suffered a loss of ₹2.64 lakh after being deceived by fake credentials and a false purchase order.
According to the Hyderabad cybercrime police, the fraud began when the victim received a call from a man claiming to be an Army officer, accompanied by another person posing as his superior. Both fraudsters shared counterfeit Army ID cards to gain the victim’s trust. They placed an order for 20 kilograms of okra (bhendi) seeds, worth ₹88,000, and provided photos of the required seeds along with a fabricated purchase order.
The victim was assured that the seeds would be collected by vehicle and agreed to the transaction. Initially, the fraudsters requested small test payments of ₹5 and ₹10 via bank transfer, which the victim complied with. Subsequently, they requested ₹88,000 through an SBI NEFT transaction.
After receiving the ₹88,000, the fraudsters claimed that ₹5 was not deducted from the transferred amount. They then demanded an additional payment of ₹1.76 lakh, promising to refund the entire sum of ₹2.64 lakh after deducting ₹5. Believing the fraudsters were genuine Army personnel, the victim transferred the amount.
However, the promised order was not delivered, and the fraudsters vanished, leaving the victim with a total financial loss of ₹2.64 lakh.
The victim has lodged a complaint with the police, seeking assistance in recovering the lost amount and identifying the fraudsters.
Public Advisory
Authorities have issued a warning to the public about such fraudulent schemes and shared the following precautions:
1. Verify Identity: Always verify the credentials of individuals claiming to be from the Army. Contact the official Army helpline or website for confirmation.
2. Be Cautious of Payments: Avoid making multiple small payments or transferring large sums without thorough verification.
3. Avoid Sharing Sensitive Information: Refrain from sharing personal or financial details with unknown callers.
4. Demand Official Communication: Insist on communication through verifiable Army email addresses or websites. Avoid dealing via phone or personal messaging apps like WhatsApp.
5. Stay Calm: Do not panic or make impulsive payments. If in doubt, stop communication immediately and report the incident.
If you suspect fraud, take the following steps:
• Report the incident to the local police.
• Call the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in.
• In emergencies, call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
