In this world of ever-evolving Internet and technology, things have become super easy. From the comfort of an internet user’s own home they truly have the world at their finger tips. From television sets to groceries, we can get anything in just a couple of clicks. Buying and even selling have become easy.

But at the same time in today’s world, online fraudsters also find the internet to be a quick and easy way to fool and rob innocent people, especially for those who make all their financial transactions online.

It’s no doubt that online transactions are the great ways for buying or selling things very easily, but at times, it is very problematic and damn risky.  

From emails that tell you about how you won a jackpot to messages asking for help, fraudsters have it all covered. Most of us understand this now and happen to be more careful. Which is why they’ve found new ways to scam us.

Yes, the online fraudsters are coming up with new methods to con people and rob them of their money. A Facebook user named Velpuri Pavithra S narrates an incident as to how a trickster tried to cheat her, citing emergency in the name of his mother. 

The incident is related to a product which was posted on OLX by Pavithra, as she wanted to sell it but for nearly two months, nothing happened as people were not ready to pay the price which was quoted by the lady.

However, one day someone inquired and then the whole game of conning Pavithra started! Read to know what happened:

“Here is something you must read if you are a person like me, who believes that technology has eased our lives. It definitely has, by letting us buy groceries, transfer money, book a cab, order everything under the sun with just a click. Something happened this morning that asked me to pause a bit and be wary while I happily make financial transactions right left and center.

It has been two months since I put up an Ad on OLX mentioning that I would like to sell Desh’s stroller. Somehow, I didn’t find a customer who would pay anywhere close to what I had quoted. I had almost forgotten that the Ad was up as there was no activity on the Ad. A couple of days ago, I received message on the website’s chat messenger asking if it was still available. I replied saying it was still available and the person agreed to pay the quoted amount. I didn’t hear from him for a day. He called up this morning.

He introduced himself as Vishal and told me that he likes the pram and wants to buy it. He asked why I was selling it for such a low price when the pictures are so impressive. I told him that there was no damage and it is in great condition. I suggested to him that it would be good if he came in person and checked the condition before agreeing to buy it. He said that he lives in Mumbai and he wants to buy it for her sister who lives in Pune and it is a surprise. (In my head, I went “How sweet of an uncle to do this to his niece/nephew”). He offered to make an online transfer to my account and said that his sister would come and collect it tomorrow. On asking for his mail id for sending the details, he asked if I could share my account details on WhatsApp. I did. Within 3 minutes of me sharing the details, I received an SMS from one of these 5 digit numbers (like 59444) saying my account has been credited with 13,500 while the money that had to be transferred was 13,500. I was not sure what was happening. 

I pinged this person on WhatsApp to check what had happened. He said it was done by mistake. He portrayed as if it was a transfer that was intended to reach his mom and requested me to transfer 10K.

He said it was urgent, he had to send it to his mom who was waiting at a hospital to pay the bill. When I asked for his account details, he asked if I could transfer through Paytm to his mom’s number. I agreed though I sensed something was fishy.

For a moment before I transferred, I wanted to check my account online and not trust the SMS. I found that there was no money transferred. I called my bank’s customer care to check if there is a possibility for such a quick transfer within three minutes. He asked me to check the transfer mode( NEFT or IMPS).

In either of the cases, it would take at least 2 hours for a transfer to happen, is what the personnel informed. As I kept talking to the customer care, I kept receiving messages from Vishal saying it is urgent and his mom is waiting for the money. I told him that I didn’t receive the money.

I called him up to tell that it would take two hours for the transfer to happen(even if he had transferred), check what he was up to, asked him which bank he transferred from etc. He said ICICI, figured that I was probing and hung up the call. I called him 3-4 times after that and his number was busy. It took me a while to digest that I was on the verge of getting tricked and the convoluted nature of the trick shook me quite a bit. Until I sat to key in this post, I kept giving myself that benefit of doubt that he does have a sister and he wants to buy the stroller for her baby and his mom isn’t in trouble. In the hindsight, it dawned on my mind that no bank would allow a transfer until at least half an hour after adding the beneficiary. Had it occurred to me when I received the credit SMS, I wouldn’t have fallen for that mom sentiment for 10 more minutes.

I received a call from him after two hours which I chose to ignore. Sent him a message on WA saying ‘I didn’t receive any money in my account. Hope you stop tricking people into traps like these. I really wish you had a sister and you wanted to buy it for her son/daughter. Also, I wish your mother doesn’t fall sick and stand in a hospital queue waiting for 10,000 rupees from you’

How much can one misuse technology, stoop to new lows, manipulate your emotions for quick bucks! I really wish he used his intelligence that he invested in creating an account on a portal, making seemingly genuine inquiries, faking bank SMS es, cooking up tales and sharing paytm details in something else and earned 10 rupees through honesty and hard work.

Find below the WA chat and the SMS I received and share it with friends and family. Hope nobody falls for such frauds.

Here are the numbers that I received calls from and was asked to transfer money to.

Call :+91 9967957477

Paytm: +91 8948413565

#OLX #Cybercrimes #WatchoutAsYouTransactOnline”

It was Pavithra’s presence of mind that saved her from making a big mistake. Truly, we must appreciate the lady for using her brain and not falling for the fraudster’s emotional tactics.

Also, remember that scammers often pretend to be someone you trust, like a government official, a family member, a charity, even if a caller says that he/she is calling from the bank. Don’t disclose personal information to anyone which can make you vulnerable to frauds.

Be careful before you make any transaction online. If you sense something even slightly fishy, do not go through with it and always check your bank for transactions.

So, guys, it is better not to send money or give out personal information in response to an unexpected request — whether it comes as a text, a phone call, or an email.

This Women’s online fraud incident is a lesson for all of us!

What’s your take on this? Let us know your views in the comments section below.