A 66-year-old man in Bengaluru fell victim to a widespread courier scam, losing Rs 1.52 crore. The scammers deceived the individual into sending substantial amounts, claiming it was necessary to exonerate them from alleged charges of drug trafficking and money laundering.
It is worth mentioning that the courier scam involves fraudsters posing as police officials, contacting victims to claim intercepted parcels with illicit items. The perpetrators coerce victims into transferring significant funds, falsely promising clearance from charges related to drug trafficking and money laundering.
Senior citizen from Bengaluru duped in courier scam
The victim, named Debashish Das, from Bengaluru, filed a complaint at the South CEN police station, stating that he received a call on November 10th from someone claiming to be Kartikeya, a FedEx courier firm employee. Here’s what exactly happened according to a report by The Indian Express.
- The caller informed Das about a case filed in Mumbai regarding a courier sent to Taiwan in his name, allegedly containing expired passports, credit cards, and illegal MDMA drugs, Indian Express reported citing the complaint.
- Das was then directed to contact an Andheri police officer on a Skype call to address the alleged case.
- During the Skype call, a person identifying as ‘Pradeep Sawant’ from the Mumbai cybercrime branch claimed that fake bank accounts had been opened in Das’s name for money laundering.
- To clear his name, Das was asked to share details of all his bank accounts with a purported deputy commissioner of police. Posing as a DCP, the fraudster instructed Das to close his fixed deposit and savings accounts and transfer the funds to a specified bank account.
- Trusting the impersonator, Das transferred Rs 1.52 crore through RTGS from his State Bank of India account to a Punjab National Bank account.
- However, the fraudsters, who promised to return the money after verifying potential money laundering, disappeared after the transfer, leaving the victim with no response.
How to stay safe from the courier scam
To safeguard against courier scams or other online fraud, awareness is crucial. Here are five essential tips to prevent and stay protected:
- Stay vigilant for unexpected calls or messages, especially from courier services or law enforcement agencies.
- Verify information independently by contacting the courier company directly if you receive suspicious communication.
- Refrain from sharing sensitive personal details, such as Aadhaar number or bank information, over the phone or through unfamiliar websites.
- Avoid making hasty decisions; scammers often create urgency to pressure victims. Take time, gather information, and consult trusted individuals before any transactions.
- Approach calls or messages about courier parcels or unexpected packages with skepticism, especially if unexpected. Verify information through reliable channels before taking any action.
