A Mangaluru resident lost ₹58.26 lakh to a sophisticated online scam while trying to sell vintage coins. The incident unfolded after he saw a Facebook ad on November 25 promoting high-value purchases of old coins. Intrigued, he contacted the listed WhatsApp number, sharing images of 15 antique coins he owned.
The scammers claimed they would pay ₹49 lakh for the collection but requested an initial ₹750 for an “RBI registration.” Trusting their claims, he transferred the amount via UPI. What followed was a series of demands for payments under various pretexts—₹17,500 for GST, ₹94,500 for insurance, ₹49,499 for TDS, ₹71,500 for GPS fees, ₹39,990 for ITR charges, and ₹3.5 lakh for an “RBI notice fee.”
On December 15, a caller impersonating Mumbai Cyber Police Commissioner Gaurav Shivaji Rao Shinde claimed the victim faced legal action unless ₹12.55 lakh was paid. Believing assurances of a refund within an hour, he transferred ₹9 lakh to a specified bank account on December 17.
The victim grew suspicious as demands continued and the tone of the callers turned aggressive. Over five weeks, multiple calls and WhatsApp messages coerced him into transferring substantial sums via RTGS, NEFT, and UPI. Realizing the fraud too late, he reported the case to the Kavoor police.
The police have registered a complaint and are investigating.
Read Also: