Gujarat Farmer Defrauded of Rs 24.78 Lakh in Elaborate Cyber Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the growing threat of online fraud, a 45-year-old farmer from Rajkot, Gujarat, has been cheated of a staggering Rs 24.78 lakh in a sophisticated cyber crime. The victim, Kishor Parmar, a resident of Bodka village in Manavadar taluka, lodged a formal complaint with the Cyber Crime police station under the Junagadh Range after falling prey to a fake work-from-home offer that unfolded over a period of five months.
How the Fraud Unfolded: A Timeline of Deception
The scam began on November 27, 2024, when Parmar received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The sender impersonated his friend, Amisha Arora from Chandigarh, and lured him with an enticing opportunity to earn money through an online work-from-home assignment. Trusting the message, Parmar was instructed to download a specific application, create an ID, and make an initial deposit of Rs 42,000.
Between December 2, 2024, and April 22, 2025, the fraudsters manipulated Parmar into transferring money to multiple bank accounts, with cumulative deposits reaching Rs 15.78 lakh. When he later attempted to withdraw his principal amount along with the promised profits, the scammers escalated their demands, asking for additional "charges" and "taxes" exceeding Rs 9 lakh. They falsely claimed these payments were necessary to process the withdrawal of a larger sum.
The Aftermath: Realisation and Legal Action
Believing their claims, Parmar made the payments, bringing his total financial loss to Rs 24.78 lakh. Even after the final transfer, the fraudsters continued to demand more money, which ultimately prompted Parmar to realise he had been cheated. Following this revelation, he approached the authorities, leading to the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
This case underscores the critical need for public awareness about cyber security, especially in rural areas where digital literacy may be lower. Police are investigating the matter, urging citizens to verify unsolicited offers and report suspicious activities promptly to prevent such financial crimes.
