Despite numerous awareness campaigns, cyber fraud is on the rise in Kochi, with 10 cases reported on a single day last Friday. A staggering loss of ₹1.9 crore was reported by the victims, spread across various police stations in the city. The fraudsters targeted a mix of both young and elderly individuals, some of whom lost their life savings in the scams.
How the Fraud Unfolded
In a particularly distressing case, a 73-year-old man from Kadavanthra was duped out of ₹76 lakh. A scammer posing as an employee of an e-commerce platform convinced the man to invest in the platform, promising high returns. Trusting these false claims, the victim transferred money multiple times, hoping to see profits. Unfortunately, once the money was sent, the fraudster disappeared, and neither the invested amount nor the promised returns were recovered.
In another incident, a resident of Thiruvankulam lost ₹7.21 lakh after being lured by a share trading platform offering double profits within minutes of investing. Initially, the victim received a small profit, which encouraged him to invest a larger amount. But after this, the scammer became unreachable.
The Growing Threat of Cyber Fraud
The surge in cybercrime is alarming. Between January and June of this year, over 400 cyber fraud cases were reported in Kochi, with victims collectively losing over ₹30 crore. According to police, scammers commonly use two methods to defraud people:
- Investment Scams: Fraudsters promise high returns on investments, often using the names of well-known share brokerage firms to appear legitimate.
- Impersonation Scams: Scammers pose as police officers, claiming that parcels with the victims’ names have been seized. They then extort money from the victims to “clear” their names.
Online job fraud is also a frequent tactic. Victims are lured into part-time job offers, only to be tricked into transferring money under false pretenses.
Awareness Campaigns and Public Response
The police have been conducting regular online and offline awareness campaigns to educate the public. However, many people still fall victim to these scams. One police officer pointed out that most victims are aware of cyber fraud incidents but never imagine they will become targets themselves.
“It is essential that people become suspicious when unknown individuals approach them with lucrative investment schemes, job offers, or impersonate police officers. The moment someone contacts you out of the blue with such offers, alarm bells should ring,” a senior police officer advised.
Businesses Are Not Safe Either
Even large businesses in Kochi have fallen prey to these fraudsters. Recently, a marine exporting company in the city lost ₹50 lakh after scammers created a fake WhatsApp account in the name of the company’s Managing Director (MD). The fraudsters used this fake account to contact the company’s executive director, instructing them to transfer ₹50 lakh to a fraudulent account. By the time the scam was uncovered, the money had already been transferred, and a case was registered at the Ernakulam South Police Station.
Recent Arrests in a Cyber Fraud Case
In a positive development, three youths were arrested in Kakkanad on Saturday for allegedly swindling ₹4.5 lakh from a woman through an online part-time job scam. The suspects, aged between 18 and 33, posted a job advertisement on social media, luring the woman into writing reviews for websites. Initially, she was paid for her work, but the suspects later convinced her to invest in the platform to earn more profits. Once she transferred the money, the fraudsters disappeared. Based on the bank account details, the police tracked down the suspects and arrested them. They are currently in judicial custody.
Conclusion
Cyber fraud is a growing menace in Kochi, affecting people of all ages and even established businesses. Despite police efforts to raise awareness, many continue to fall victim to these scams. It is crucial to remain cautious when approached by unknown individuals or organizations with promises that seem too good to be true. Always verify the authenticity of any investment or job offer, and report suspicious activities to the authorities immediately.
