Bumble jumble: Online fraudsters cheat PhD scholar of Rs 98,500, case filed

Sources said that the victim first made contact with someone called Dr Aayaan Kumar George in September this year on the Bumble App. George presented himself as a doctor residing in the UK. The two initiated communication through WhatsApp calls starting on September 14. These conversations continued over time.

The situation took an alarming turn when the victim received a WhatsApp call from George, who claimed to have arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, on September 28, accompanied by his mother. Shortly thereafter, she received a call from another WhatsApp number. The woman on the line identified herself as a customs officer and informed the victim that Dr Aayaan Kumar George was found in possession of 1 lakh UK pounds, exceeding the permissible limit. The customs officer insisted that the victim pay Rs 68,500 into an online account.

Police sources said the victim complied and transferred Rs 68,500 from her account into the specified bank account. Subsequently, another woman called the victim, demanding an additional Rs 3 lakh, emphasising that the amount of pounds was excessive. The victim hesitated, and the woman caller then handed the phone to Dr George, who implored her to transfer the money. Police said that the victim explained that she could only send Rs 1 lakh and had already transferred Rs 68,500. Under pressure, she transferred Rs 30,000 more to another account, as per the instructions of the alleged woman’s customs officer.

A police officer said, “It is not the first instance when someone in Chandigarh was cheated by this modus operandi. People should not entertain virtual calls. Efforts are on to identify the suspects involved in the cheating.”
Eventually, the victim realised she had been duped and deleted the dating app. The suspect persisted by calling the victim from a different WhatsApp number. A case was registered under sections 419, 420, and 120B of the IPC.

Points to ponder over

According to the cyber cell, the following tips should be kept in mind:

* Exercise caution when communicating with individuals met through online dating or matrimonial apps until you meet them in person.
* Do not respond hastily to money demands made by individuals on social sites or over the phone without proper verification.
* Always verify the status of any package directly on the official FedEx website.
* Refrain from making or receiving advance payments for any deal.
* In the event of a cyber fraud, dial helpline no. 1930 or 112.