Bengaluru: A Bengaluru man recently shared his experience of thwarting a scammer’s attempt to coerce money from him through a fake UPI money transfer scheme. Hardik Pandya, the senior vice president of Unacademy, recounted how he outsmarted the scammer who tried to dupe him while he listed an iPad for sale on OLX.
Uncovering the Scam
Pandya took to social media to share screenshots of his conversation with the scammer, who posed as a potential buyer. He highlighted the suspicious details that immediately raised red flags and enabled him to recognize the scam.
Modus Operandi of the Scammer
The screenshots revealed how the scammer, identified as Dilip Vikas, initially pretended to transfer ₹26,000 into Pandya’s account. Subsequently, he requested Pandya to return ₹10,000, claiming he had paid more than the agreed amount. However, upon checking his bank balance, Pandya discovered that he had received only ₹1, which Vikas had sent to verify the account details.
Deception Unveiled
In an attempt to deceive Pandya, the scammer shared a fake PhonePe screenshot showing a transfer of ₹26,000 into Pandya’s account. Furthermore, he sent a message to Pandya’s phone number falsely stating that Pandya had received a payment of ₹26,000.
Public Response and Awareness
Pandya’s tweet sharing his experience garnered significant attention, accumulating over 7.7 lakh views and prompting various reactions from netizens. Many individuals shared their own encounters with scammers and emphasized the importance of reporting such incidents to authorities to prevent further fraudulent activities.
Heightened Vigilance Against Scams
The incident serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant while engaging in online transactions, particularly on platforms like OLX, and to be wary of suspicious requests for money transfers. Pandya’s quick thinking and awareness helped him avoid falling victim to the scam, highlighting the importance of staying informed and alert in the digital age.
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