HIGHLIGHTS

A woman reported a scam after being contacted by a man on Facebook who claimed to be Dr. Tushar Patel on February 26.

Following their initial interaction, he continued the conversation on WhatsApp, referring to her as “dear sister.”

He informed her that he had dispatched a gift package from the US.

Online scams are on the rise, with fraudsters increasingly employing emotional exploitation to mislead unsuspecting individuals. A recent incident in Mangaluru highlights the dangers of such scams, where a woman fell victim and lost Rs 7.1 lakh due to a deceptive ‘gift scam’ perpetrated by a man masquerading as a doctor from the United States. This article will shed light on how the scam unfolded and equip you with strategies to safeguard against similar frauds.

The victim filed a formal complaint detailing that on February 26, she was approached on Facebook by a man who introduced himself as Dr. Tushar Patel, a neurologist affiliated with UHealth at the University of Miami in Florida. He presented himself as a divorced individual with a child, which may have been intended to evoke sympathy and trust from the victim.

In an alarming turn of events, he soon transitioned their communication to WhatsApp, where he affectionately referred to her as “dear sister,” according to a report by TOI. In an elaborate ruse, he claimed that he had sent her a gift consignment from the US that allegedly contained luxurious items such as platinum jewelry, diamonds, a high-end watch, a laptop, an iPhone, $90,000 in cash, and gold items.

As part of his deceit, he informed her to expect a call from airport representatives regarding the delivery of these lavish gifts. On March 5, she received a call from someone purporting to be an official from the airport authority. The caller stated that her package had arrived but required a security deposit for it to be released. Trusting this information, she proceeded to transfer money to the given bank accounts.

Unfortunately, the scam escalated further as she received subsequent calls asserting that additional fees for clearance were necessary. Succumbing to the pressure and believing she was on the verge of receiving her anticipated gifts, she made several monetary transfers through platforms like PhonePe and NEFT, ultimately sending a staggering total of Rs 7.1 lakh to various accounts registered under names such as Rebek VL Awmpuii, Stella Tirkey, and Hulawmamwi.

Additionally, you might find it worth reading about another troubling incident: a Pune firm accountant who fell victim to a Whale Phishing scam, resulting in the transfer of Rs 1.9 crore to the fraudster’s account.

Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams

• Be Wary of Strangers Online: Exercise caution when interacting with individuals you meet online, especially if they make enticing claims.
• Validate Identities: If someone claims affiliation with a reputed institution, conduct thorough research to verify their credentials.
• Refrain from Sending Money to Unknown Accounts: Avoid transferring funds to anyone you have not met face-to-face, especially in the context of promised gifts or prizes.
• Identify Red Flags: Be alert to common tactics used by scammers, including creating a false sense of urgency, insisting on confidentiality, or leveraging emotional pressure.
• Report Suspicious Actions: If you suspect you are dealing with fraud, do not hesitate to reach out to local law enforcement and cybercrime authorities.