Surat: A festive spirit turned sour for a man in Surat who lost Rs 1.4 lakh to a cybercrook in the name of buying kites and threads for the upcoming Uttarayan festival.
Pravin Rupapara, a resident of Utran, fell victim to the elaborate online scam while trying to help his son’s friends set up a kite stall. According to the police complaint, Rupapara was contacted by a person claiming to be ‘Ketan Bharwad’ after his son’s friends sought a supplier for kites and threads.
Bharwad, posing as a seller, lured Rupapara with a promise of kites and threads but demanded an advance payment. Trusting the conman, Rupapara transferred a hefty sum of Rs 1.4 lakh through two transactions from his accounts. However, his dreams of a colorful kite stall were soon dashed when Bharwad vanished with the money, leaving his phone switched off.
Realizing he had been duped, Rupapara lodged a complaint with the Utran police, who have registered an FIR against Bharwad. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking online, especially during festive seasons when scammers exploit the increased demand for goods and services.
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