Sambalpur: Cyber Crime in Sambalpur; Fraudsters Loot ₹1 Lakh by Posing as Customs Department Officials
Sambalpur: A person from Sambalpur’s Dhanupali area received a call from an unknown number on Tuesday. The caller said, “Hello… I am calling from the Customs Department. A parcel in your name has been seized. It contains 4 kg of clothes, some alcohol, and ₹35,000.” The person, confused and alarmed, fell victim to the scam and ended up losing ₹1 lakh to the fraudsters.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraudsters told the person that a parcel had been sent in their name, and the names of both the sender and the recipient were mentioned in the documents. They also claimed that the person’s Aadhaar card had been used in the process. After this, the scammer further pressured the person by saying they should file a complaint with the Mumbai Police about the misuse of their Aadhaar card.
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Shortly after this, the victim received a message on WhatsApp, labeled “Report here.” The scam escalated when the fraudster, dressed in a police uniform, made a video call demanding to see the victim’s Aadhaar card. A fake arrest order was then sent, threatening the victim with arrest if they didn’t comply. The fraudster also asked the person to visit a Mumbai police station.
When the victim expressed that it was impossible for them to go to Mumbai, the fraudster demanded ₹1 lakh to resolve the issue. Fearing the consequences, the victim paid the money. After realizing they had been duped, the victim filed a complaint at the local police station. Police have registered the case and are now investigating the incident.
Police Awareness Campaigns
Following several similar incidents across the state, the Odisha police have been actively running awareness campaigns to educate the public. Through social media and various news outlets, they have repeatedly warned people about such scams. Last year, a special awareness drive, including a “Satchatanata Rath” (Awareness Vehicle), was launched to alert people. However, despite these efforts, many individuals continue to fall prey to such cyber frauds. This incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and public awareness regarding online and phone scams.
