Nagpur woman, 52, loses Rs 6.51 lakh to Facebook friend's gift and customs scam

A 52-year-old woman from Nagpur district has allegedly been cheated of Rs 6.51 lakh in a cyber fraud that began with a Facebook friendship. Rana Pratap Nagar police have registered a case against an accused named Ravi Sharma.

According to the information available, the accused first contacted the woman on Facebook. The two gradually became friends. He described himself as a four-wheeler dealer based in London and then began chatting with her on WhatsApp.

It is alleged that he won her trust by feigning affection. He would ask about her husband's health and express sympathy. He also assured her of financial help if she needed it.

The accused then said his birthday was on October 8 and that he was sending gold jewellery, clothes and shoes from London. The woman was later told that the gifts had reached Mumbai airport.

Meanwhile, the woman received a WhatsApp call. The caller described himself as an associate of Ravi Sharma. He said he had the parcel with him and that his vehicle had met with an accident.

He asked for Rs 1.50 lakh in the name of help, and also threatened to complain to the police if she did not pay. The woman initially deposited Rs 32,000.

The next day the accused contacted her again. This time she was told that the gifts were stuck with the customs department. She was then threatened with action in the name of customs and the police, and was allegedly kept under "digital arrest".

It is alleged that, under mental pressure, she was made to deposit money in various bank accounts. This went on between September 21 and October 31. In that period the woman was cheated of a total of Rs 6.51 lakh, or Rs 6,51,000. She finally complained to the police, after which a case was registered against Ravi Sharma.