Hyderabad businessman loses Rs 22 lakhs in fake FedEx scam
Hyderabad: A 49-year-old businessman fell victim to a cybercrime and lost Rs 22 lakhs to fraudsters posing as FedEx officials.
According to the Cybercrime police, the victim received a call purportedly from the FedEx Mumbai Parcel Branch Office. The caller informed him that a parcel he was sending from Mumbai to Iran had been intercepted. The fraudulent parcel was claimed to contain five passports, three bank credit cards, a laptop, four kilograms of clothes, and 140 grams of MDMA. To add credibility, the fraudster provided a parcel number: NCB/MUM/0324/1957.
The scam escalated when the victim was pressured to join a Skype video call with a fake DSP from the Crime Department who would allegedly issue a police clearance certificate. The fraudsters then convinced the victim that his bank accounts needed verification by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) to clear any suspicions of money laundering. The victim was instructed to transfer the entire balance of his bank account for verification.
The fraudsters maintained constant surveillance through the video call, ensuring the victim did not seek external help. They pressured the victim into transferring the Rs 22 lakh through RTGS using a cheque, warning him against discussing the matter with anyone.
It was only after the transfer that the victim realized he had been duped when the promised police clearance certificate failed to materialize. The fraudsters had vanished, leaving the businessman with a significant financial loss. The victim subsequently filed a complaint with the Cybercrime police, seeking their assistance.
Public Advisory:
Fraudsters often target victims on social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook by promoting fake trading apps and websites. These schemes are not endorsed by SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India) and are entirely fraudulent.
Abstain from trusting promises of high returns and fabricated profit screenshots. Scammers often credit small sums into victims’ accounts to gain their confidence.
If you suspect you are a victim of cyber financial fraud, report it immediately by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies, call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
