By adbnu564 
In a shocking cyber fraud incident, a 23-year-old resident of Wadala West was duped of ₹6.10 lakh after falling victim to an online call girl service scam. The youth, working as a research intern in Andheri, registered a complaint at Matunga police station on May 12, leading to the filing of an FIR against an unidentified individual. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of online scams and fraudulent activities targeting unsuspecting individuals.
The Scam Unfolds
The victim, identified as A. Krushna, was searching for call girl services online when he stumbled upon a suspicious website on April 4, 2025, at around 11:30 p.m. The website displayed a WhatsApp number, which he contacted. He was informed that the service would cost ₹3,000, with an initial advance of ₹500 required. Krushna, trusting the source, transferred the ₹500 amount via Google Pay.
Shortly after, he received photographs of several women and was told that a girl would be sent to his residence with a driver upon making his selection. At this point, the scam took a more elaborate turn. Krushna was asked to provide an OTP and make an additional payment of ₹3,000. What followed was a series of escalating demands for more money under the guise of a security deposit, insurance, GST, processing fees, and police verification.
The Extortion Continues
Over the course of the next few days, Krushna found himself under immense pressure, as the fraudsters continuously threatened and manipulated him into transferring more money. Between April 6 and April 9, he transferred a total of ₹6.10 lakh to various bank accounts and UPI IDs provided by the scammers. Despite several requests for a refund, the fraudsters assured him that the money would be returned within 48 hours, but no refund materialized.
On April 11, the victim received yet another WhatsApp call, this time demanding an additional ₹95,560. This raised suspicions in Krushna, prompting him to stop engaging with the scammers. On April 13, he reported the incident to the cybercrime helpline (1930) and submitted a formal complaint at the Matunga police station.
Ongoing Harassment
The scam did not end there. Between May 4 and May 12, Krushna received further calls from the same WhatsApp number, which led to an additional ₹25,000 being extorted from him through continuous threats. It is believed that the scammers had obtained Krushna’s Aadhaar details and used this sensitive information to continue their harassment.
Police Action
Following the complaint, Matunga police initiated a case against the unidentified fraudster, and investigations are currently underway to track down the perpetrator. The police have also urged the public to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging with unfamiliar online services, especially those that involve payments via digital platforms.
Rising Concerns Over Online Scams
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber fraudsters, who exploit unsuspecting individuals through seemingly legitimate online services. Authorities have emphasized the importance of verifying the authenticity of online services before making any financial transactions. It is also advised that individuals report any suspicious activity to the relevant authorities promptly to prevent further victimization.
As the investigation continues, the victim’s case serves as a warning to the public about the dangers of falling prey to online scams, especially those involving personal and financial details.