Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi

Udupi, Jan 17: An online fraud case has been registered at the Udupi Town police station after an unidentified person allegedly cheated a resident of Rs 1 lac by posing as his friend and seeking money on the pretext of a medical emergency.

According to the complaint, on January 15, an unknown caller contacted Ashok, a resident of Kunjibettu, introducing himself as Sandeep. As Ashok had previously worked with a person by the same name, he believed the caller to be his acquaintance and continued the conversation.

The caller claimed that his brother had been admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru due to a heart-related ailment and that he was at a medical shop to purchase a stent. He further said that his Google Pay was not working and requested Ashok’s help to transfer money to the doctor. To gain trust, the caller stated that he had already sent Rs 50,000 to Ashok’s account.

Soon after, Ashok received a message indicating that Rs 50,000 had been credited to his account. Believing it to be genuine, Ashok transferred the same amount back to the caller using Google Pay from his wife’s mobile phone.

While still on the call, the fraudster again claimed to have sent another Rs 50,000. Ashok received a similar message confirming the credit and once again transferred the amount through Google Pay.

However, upon later checking his bank balance, Ashok realised that no money had actually been credited to his account. When he contacted his real friend Sandeep, he was told that no such call had been made.

It was then confirmed that an unidentified person had impersonated his friend and cheated Ashok of Rs 1 lac through online fraud. Based on the complaint, Udupi Town police have registered a case and launched an investigation.