JAMMU: Crime Branch of Jammu & Kashmir Police has registered a criminal case for cyber fraud against two suspects namely Chandra Kumar, resident of W-1 Damcherra, Tripura and Rohminglui, resident of Upper Phinnuuan, Mizoram for their involvement in hatching a criminal conspiracy and tricking complainant by phishing and duping him of his hard-earned money on the pretext of providing him an 82 inches LED TV on attractive price. The complainant was lured and duped by fraudsters through an online shopping website.
As per an official spokesperson of the investigating agency, a written complaint was lodged by one Sandeep Gupta, son of Varinder Gupta, resident of Ramnagar, Udhampur in Crime Branch Jammu, alleging therein that he planned to buy a product online from a website Ali Baba.com and selected a product Samsung 70 QLED premium TV series 9 smart Ultra HD 4k with 100 per cent international warranty and messaged accordingly to buy the product. In reply message, he was asked to contact on a whatsapp number and the contacted person told him regarding 82 inches TV which was available with them at a cost of Rs 23,900. “The complainant was asked to deposit aforesaid amount in Bank Account (UCO Bank) of the suspect so that product can be delivered at his doorstep. Accordingly, complainant deposited the amount through NEFT and he was conveyed the shipment number and courier site – viz fastexpresservice.com. He was asked to contact dealing person in India namely Phillip Doughty.
But on next day, he was told that the product was on hold and he has to pay custom duty amounting to Rs 20,500.
Apprehending risk of losing previous payment of Rs 23,900, the complainant was further induced to make another payment of Rs 20,500. But when the complainant transferred the aforesaid amount, the fraudsters demanded another sum of Rs 48,500 for Indian Tax and courier charges which put complainant into a doubt and he did not transfer the amount and instead requested them to deliver the product with Cash on Delivery option, to which fraudsters did not respond,” he added. “On receipt of complaint, a PV was conducted and during course of enquiry, bank record was obtained from concerned bank along with other record and the allegations leveled by complainant have been substantiated. The omissions and commissions on part of accused prima facie, constitute offences punishable under sections 420, 120-B of RPC.
Accordingly, a formal case was registered at Police Station Crime Branch, Jammu for in-depth investigation against above mentioned accused persons and investigation of the case has been set in motion,” the official said.