Bengaluru: A 52-year-old woman from Yeshwanthpur has allegedly lost ₹1.7 crore in an elaborate cyber fraud after scammers befriended her on Facebook and convinced her to pay for the release of a parcel purportedly containing expensive gifts.

The fraudsters allegedly posed as a UK-based Indian and customs officials, using a combination of online deception and in-person cash collection to execute the scam.

Friendship on Facebook turns into fraud

According to a complaint filed with the North Cyber Crime Police Station, the woman, identified as Pallavi (name changed), was contacted on Facebook on June 12 by a man identifying himself as Sahil Juggal, who claimed to be an Indian working in the United Kingdom.

The two later began communicating on WhatsApp, where the woman reportedly shared details about her personal life. The accused then promised to send her costly gifts, including a designer sari, gold jewellery, diamonds and gemstones, and even shared photographs of a parcel and courier receipts.

Fake customs officials demand money

A few days later, the woman received a call from a person claiming to be Ravi Sharma, a customs officer, who told her the parcel had arrived in Delhi but could only be released after customs duties and clearance charges were paid.

Believing the claims, she initially transferred ₹40 lakh through RTGS to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.

The demands continued, with the accused allegedly asking her to deliver cash at different locations. Police said various individuals collected the money after identifying themselves using the serial number of a ₹10 note shared with the victim via WhatsApp.

Police launch investigation

Investigators suspect the fraudsters used the hawala network to receive the money. By the time the woman realised she had been cheated, she had allegedly lost ₹1.7 crore.

Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and Section 318 (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Officials said efforts are underway to trace and arrest the main accused, who is believed to be operating from south Bengaluru.