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Panchkula Cyber Crime : A retired army officer residing in Sector 20, Panchkula, fell victim to an elaborate passport scam, losing a staggering ₹2.2 lakh in the process. The incident has once again highlighted the pervasive threat of cybercrime in our digital age.
Brij Bhushan Sharma, 79, received a seemingly innocuous message on September 1, 2023, notifying him about the dispatch of his passport. Little did he know that this would set off a chain of events leading to significant financial loss. The message contained a tracking link, purportedly directing him to an official application.
Upon following the instructions and contacting the provided mobile number, Sharma was ensnared in a web of deceit. Assured of expedited passport delivery within 72 hours, he was coerced into providing personal information and opting for fast delivery, which required a nominal payment. However, his attempt to transfer ₹5 through the application failed, unbeknownst to him setting the stage for a much larger financial drain.
In a devastating turn of events, Sharma discovered that a staggering ₹2.2 lakh had been debited from his account in seven separate transactions. The retired officer’s trust was exploited, leaving him grappling with the harsh reality of cyber fraud.
In response to Sharma’s ordeal, a case under Sections 419 (cheating by personation), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), and 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered at the Cyber Crime police station of Sector 12 in Panchkula. Authorities are diligently investigating the matter to bring the perpetrators to justice and prevent further instances of such deceitful practices.
