Mumbai, May 12 (PTI) A 23-year-old chemical technology student was defrauded by cyber fraudsters of more than Rs 6 lakh under the pretext of providing him a female escort service in Mumbai, police said on Monday.
The victim is a research trainee from Tamil Nadu who is currently staying in Wadala East area.
“While searching for call girl services online on April 4, he came across a WhatsApp number and initiated conversation,” an official said.
An unidentified person responded and quoted charges. The victim initially paid Rs 500 on a QR code provided by the fraudster for making an “advance” payment.
The student was promised that a girl would be sent to him along with a driver, he said.
“He subsequently received a call and an OTP on his mobile phone and was asked to pay Rs 3,000,” the official said.
After making the payment, the victim received a message demanding payment of Rs 21,000 towards “security deposit”, followed by more messages asking for Rs 32,000 as “insurance” fee.
“He ended up paying Rs 6 lakh to fraudsters who presented various pretexts,” police said.
After realising that he had been cheated, the victim approached the Matunga police station and lodged a complaint.
Police registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and the Information Technology Act against unidentified persons, he said. PTI DC NSK
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