Udupi Youth Defrauded of Rs 55,000 in Elusive Graphic Card Deal
A young man from Karnataka's coastal district has become the latest victim of an online shopping scam, losing a significant sum of money after responding to a too-good-to-be-true advertisement on Facebook. The incident highlights the persistent risks of digital marketplaces and social media commerce.
The Deceptive Advertisement and Transaction
The victim, identified as 23-year-old Anirudh Rao from Ambalapady in Udupi taluk, was browsing a Facebook group when he encountered an enticing advertisement. The ad, which promoted itself under the banner "Cheapest PC Parts in India by Kryptonix Gamiy", caught his attention as he was looking for computer components.
Trusting the offer, Rao proceeded to click on the advertisement link. He then placed an online order for a graphic card, a crucial component for gaming and high-performance computing. Following the instructions on the linked page, he made a payment amounting to Rs 55,000 for the product.
The Aftermath and Police Complaint
After completing the transaction, the promised graphic card never arrived. When attempts to contact the seller or the page behind the advertisement failed, Anirudh Rao realized he had been defrauded. The advertised entity, "Kryptonix Gamiy," appears to have been a front for the scam.
Rao subsequently approached the police and filed a formal complaint regarding the incident. The case, registered in Udupi, is now under investigation as an online fraud matter. Authorities are working to trace the digital trail of the transaction and the individuals behind the fraudulent Facebook advertisement.
This incident, which came to light as per the complaint recorded, underscores a common modus operandi where scammers use the reach of social media platforms to lure buyers with offers of high-demand electronics at seemingly unbeatable prices.
A Cautionary Tale for Online Shoppers
The Udupi graphic card scam serves as a stark reminder for consumers to exercise extreme caution when making purchases through social media ads. Key red flags often include:
- Prices that are significantly lower than market rates.
- Brands or seller names that are unfamiliar or have no verifiable online presence or reviews.
- Pressure to make immediate payment through direct transfers.
- Lack of secure, platform-mediated payment gateways that offer buyer protection.
Police advise citizens to verify the authenticity of sellers, prefer reputed e-commerce websites with robust customer protection policies, and avoid making direct bank transfers to unknown individuals or entities. Always check for customer reviews and ratings before proceeding with any online transaction, especially for high-value items like electronics.
The investigation into Anirudh Rao's case is ongoing, and authorities are urging anyone with similar experiences to come forward to help track down the perpetrators of these online fraud schemes.
