Woman loses Rs 1.75 crore to cyber fraud, was promised costly sarees, jewellery by FB friend

BENGALURU: A woman was cheated of Rs 1.75 crore by a man she met on Facebook after falling for promise of costly foreign sarees and diamond jewellery as a gift. She has now filed a complaint at the North division cyber crime police station.

The woman, a resident of Yeshwantpur, became acquainted with a man named Sahil Juggal on Facebook. They shared phone numbers and became close through regular conversations. He claimed that he worked in the UK and would bring her a gift from abroad. Later, he he told her that it would take him more time to visit and said he had sent her a costly saree, with gems and diamond jewellery in it.

The woman was excited about the costly saree, gems, and diamond jewellery. Sahil Juggal then called her and said that he didn’t have Indian currency and that he would pay her back when he visits India. He told her to Rs 40 lakh to Customs officials and collect the saree, jewellery, and diamonds. When she asked how she would identify the person, he sent a photo of a 10-rupee note torn in half. He then asked her show the half-torn note to the person and give him the money.

Following Sahil’s instructions, a man came to a hotel, showed a torn note, and the woman gave him Rs 40 lakh. Then, another person called saying they were Customs officials and told her that the jewellery was very costly, so there are more different charges. He said the money would be returned once they got the full details of its value.

Giving different reasons, they took a total of Rs 1.75 crore from her in installments. When the items still didn’t arrive, she grew suspicious. Upon checking, it came to light that she had been cheated. The woman has now filed a case at the North division cyber crime police station.