According to a report in Indian Express, Naina (name changed), living in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, narrowly escaped becoming a victim of a similar fraud. On the day of Chhath Puja, a message came on his phone from an unknown Instagram user. At first she ignored it but by evening the same person started messaging her again and again.

He introduced himself as Dr Khan, a resident of London and a resident of Pakistan, who has done MBBS from China and is currently working in the UK. After seeing the profile, Naina started trusting him and the conversation moved from Instagram to WhatsApp. Doctor Khan used to talk about video calls every time but never turned on the camera, always making the excuse of network failure. Within a few days, he even proposed marriage but Naina flatly refused.

After this the real game started. The swindler pretended to send expensive gifts – iPhones, jewellery, expensive sarees and videos of him buying all this were sent to Naina. He refused to give the address, yet the swindler claimed that the gifts had been sent to India.

Next morning a call came that the parcel was stuck at Mumbai airport and Rs 4,000 would have to be paid. If he refused, he was threatened to send the case to CBI. Frightened, Naina sent the money. The next day another Rs 12,000 was demanded. On refusing, Dr. Khan threatened that he would make the recorded video of Naina viral.

Frightened Naina went to the shop to sell gold earrings but the bank’s warning and the shopkeeper’s wisdom saved her. Later, fake CBI calls were also received, but this time Naina blocked all the numbers without fear. Due to fear of shame or disgrace, he did not tell this to his family or the police.

According to cyber experts, fraudsters first target girls on social media, build trust and then start cheating under the guise of expensive gifts. Fake customs officers, airport officials and fake courier calls are all a plan hatched by the same gang. In reality, the Customs Department never asks for money over the phone, nor can any foreign gift reach India without documents.

To avoid such fraudsters, do not chat with unknown profiles, do not trust anyone quickly, do not transfer money in the name of gift and if you receive any threat, immediately understand that it is a fraud. The most important thing is not to hide in such cases and immediately complain on helpline 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in.