Udupi: A 23-year-old man was allegedly cheated of Rs 55,000 after attempting to purchase a computer graphics card through an advertisement posted on Facebook, according to a complaint registered with the police.
The victim has been identified as Anirudh Rao, a resident of Ambalapady in Udupi taluk. Police said he came across an advertisement promoting computer components at comparatively low prices on a Facebook group that appeared to be engaged in the sale of PC hardware.
Payment made after WhatsApp contact
After showing interest in purchasing a graphics card, Anirudh Rao was contacted by an unidentified individual through WhatsApp. The person, posing as a seller, shared details of the product and instructed the complainant to proceed with the payment to confirm the order.
Trusting the advertisement and the communication received, Anirudh Rao transferred Rs 55,000 via UPI to the bank account provided by the accused on December 17. Police said the payment was made in good faith, expecting the graphics card to be delivered soon.
No delivery or refund after payment
Despite receiving the full payment, the accused allegedly failed to deliver the graphics card. Repeated attempts by the complainant to contact the seller reportedly went unanswered. The accused also did not initiate any refund of the amount paid.
After waiting for a reasonable period and realising that he had been deceived, Anirudh Rao concluded that the transaction was fraudulent and that he had fallen victim to an online scam.
Complaint lodged with police
The victim subsequently approached the Udupi Town Police Station and lodged a formal complaint detailing the sequence of events, including the Facebook advertisement, WhatsApp communication, and UPI transaction.
Based on the complaint, police registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to cheating, and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating by personation using computer resources.
Police begin investigation
Police officials said that an investigation is underway to trace the accused and identify the bank account and digital trail linked to the transaction. Cybercrime investigators are examining call records, UPI transaction details, and online profiles used by the accused.
Officials stated that efforts are being made to determine whether the accused is part of a larger online fraud network targeting unsuspecting buyers through social media platforms.
Warning against online purchase scams
Police have cautioned the public to remain vigilant while making online purchases, especially through social media advertisements offering products at unusually low prices. They advised buyers to verify sellers, avoid advance payments to unknown individuals, and use trusted e-commerce platforms that offer buyer protection.
Cybercrime experts have noted an increase in such scams, where fraudsters exploit popular demand for electronic items such as graphics cards, smartphones, and laptops by posting misleading advertisements on social media groups.
Conclusion
The case highlights the growing risks associated with online transactions carried out through unverified sources on social media platforms. Police have urged citizens to report such incidents promptly and assured that all efforts are being taken to trace the accused and recover the cheated amount. Further investigation in the case is in progress.