On Wednesday, the city witnessed a surge in cyber crime with four separate offences registered, involving fraudulent activities that led to a combined loss of more than ₹20 lakh for the victims.In the first reported case, the Vishrantwadi police filed a complaint against unknown individuals who deceived a 27-year-old victim by executing a task fraud, resulting in the loss of ₹5.21 lakh.
The victim was tricked into transferring this amount under false pretenses, highlighting the growing sophistication of online scams.The second incident involved a resident of Wagholi who fell prey to cyber fraudsters. The criminals managed to siphon ₹11.10 lakh from the victim’s bank account through deceptive online means, marking the largest single amount lost among the four cases.
The third case concerned a 27-year-old from Wanwadi, who was cheated online and lost ₹4.80 lakh. Details suggest that the fraudsters used manipulative tactics to gain the victim’s trust and extract the money, underscoring the persistent threat posed by cyber criminals.In the fourth and final case, a Kalepadal resident became the target of an online task fraud. The scam led to a financial loss of ₹5 lakh after the victim unknowingly transferred the amount to unidentified perpetrators.
These incidents collectively highlight the rising menace of cyber crime in the city, with criminals exploiting digital platforms to deceive unsuspecting individuals. Authorities have urged the public to exercise caution, verify online offers, and report suspicious activities promptly to prevent further losses. The police continue to investigate all four cases and are working towards identifying and apprehending the fraudsters behind these scams.