Udupi: Online scams are surging across India, with cybercriminals now targeting not just the affluent, but anyone in financial distress. In a heartbreaking case from Udupi, Karnataka, a woman undergoing cancer treatment was defrauded of over ₹30,000 while seeking help online for her rising medical expenses.
According to The Times of India, the woman had posted her bank details on multiple social media platforms, hoping for generous contributions. On July 1, around 10 AM, she received a call from a man speaking Kannada. He introduced himself as a representative of Mantralaya Raghavendra Swamy Mutt and claimed the Udupi Krishna Mutt had selected her to receive ₹2.90 lakh in aid.
To receive the supposed donation, she was told to first pay ₹29,900 as a tax fee. Believing the caller’s religious association added credibility, she transferred the amount through PhonePe. Later, she also sent an additional ₹4,000 in two parts.
The fraudster promised the funds would be credited by 11:45 AM that day. But after hours of waiting, the money never came. Realising she had been scammed, she filed a complaint with local authorities.
The police have registered a case under Sections 318(4) and 112 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.
How to protect yourself:
– Avoid posting bank information online.
– Confirm identities before acting on financial offers.
– No genuine organisation asks for fees to process donations.
– Report cyber frauds promptly to the Cyber Crime portal.