Mumbai Crime: Insurance agent duped of Rs 4.57 lakh by 'online friend'

This picture has been used for representational purpose

A 50-year-old insurance advisor lost Rs 4.57 lakh to her 'online friend' who said that he was coming to visit India. The accused siphoned off money from complainant on various reasons such as getting clearance from Airport authorities to get a stamp on papers.

After losing Rs 4.57 lakh, the complainant realised that she is being cheated and registered FIR in Kopar Khairane police station. The complainant Sonia (name changed), is a resident of Kopar Khairane and works as an insurance advisor in LIC India.

On June 18, 2019, Sonia received a friend request by the name of Ajman Gomes. Gomes claimed to be a resident of Spain who works at the Airport. To gain her confidence, Gomes sent few pictures with ID card and Airbus at the background. Both exchanged the cellphone numbers and started chatting on WhatsApp.

A police officer attached to Kopar Khairane said "Within a month, Gomes gained the confidence of Sonia and told that he is coming to India to meet her. On July 5, 2019, he messaged her saying that he has arrived in Delhi."

On the morning of July 5, Sonia received a call from a woman who identified herself as Himani, working in India Gandhi International Airport. Himani told Sonia that Gomes has been taken into custody by Airport authorities as he had not brought the yellow card. Gomes then came on call and told Sonia that, he has to pay Rs 30,000 as fine to get released. Sonia immediately transferred the money and conveyed it to Gomes.

On next day, Himani called Sonia again and told her that they have found 50 lakh pounds in Gomes's bag and that he needs to pay Rs 82,000 as fine. On July 8, Himani called Sonia and told that if Gomes wishes to covert the entire amount of 50 lakh pounds into rupees then she needs to pay Rs 1 lakh as transfer money. Sonia immediately paid the amount.

On July 10, Gomes called Sonia and told the money he had brought is a big amount and the authorities are demanding Rs 2.25 lakh as the transfer amount. Once again, Sonia paid more money. On July 17, Himani called Sonia telling they have prepared the legal papers to release him but they will need Rs 20,000 more for it. Despite spending lakhs of rupees, Gomes and Himani kept calling Sonia for more money which is when Sonia finally realised that something fishy was going on and refused to pay more. She tried calling on both the numbers to get her money back but both the numbers were switched off.

Also Read: Housing fraud: Man held for duping over 700 people

Sonia rushed to Kopar Khairane Police station and filed a complaint in the writing. The cops have registered a complaint on September 3, against two unknown persons under IPC section 420 (cheating) and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act 2000.

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