It is suspected that a Delhi-based gang is behind this cyber fraud.Mulleria: A private school teacher has lost Rs 12.5 lakh to a Facebook 'friend'.
The female teacher, from Banthaduka Puduppu, was told that she has won an online prize of Rs 3 crore and was tricked into shelling out Rs 12.5 lakh in six installments. It is suspected that a Delhi-based gang is behind this cyber fraud.
How it started
John Blanc, who befriended the teacher on Facebook, is behind the fraud. The police believe that his Facebook account is fake. The teacher and John Blanc became friends on Facebook on November 17.
They exchanged mobile numbers and continued their friendship through WhatsApp chat. Later, he told the teacher that she has won an online prize worth 35,000 pounds and as a proof sent her a certified letter from an email ID of the Reserve Bank of India.
He told the teacher that the prize has been sent through 50kg packets and needed Rs 30,000 to pay tax. Subsequently, a woman called the teacher and gave her an account number to which the money was deposited. Later, he asked for Rs 85,000. He sought more money and in four installments, Rs 11,32,000 was deposited. When he demanded Rs 11,35,000 more, the teacher grew suspicious.
The money was deposited in accounts in Axis Bank, Canara Bank and Federal Bank. Police found that the money has been withdrawn in Delhi mostly from ATMs. Some money has been spent buying products online.
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