Email lottery fraud: Girl student loses Rs 1.61 lakh

A girl student lost Rs 1.61 lakh after being duped by a mail alert alleging that she won a lottery.
Email lottery fraud: Girl student loses Rs 1.61 lakh

VIJAYAWADA: A girl student lost Rs 1.61 lakh after being duped by a mail alert alleging that she won a lottery. The victim, a resident of Garikaparru village in Thotlavallur mandal of Krishna district is a student of a degree college in Movva.

According to Thotlavallur police, Annavarapu Krupa Leela (20) saw a mail in her mother’s account on February 6 stating that she won a bumper prize of Rs 5.35 crore through Coca-Cola Lottery Scheme. Believing the mail, she contacted them and was asked to pay a processing fee of Rs 22,500. Without further inquiry, Krupa Leela deposited the amount in the bank account on February 9.

Within a few days, she received another call that asked her to pay additional Rs 78,500 as ‘RBI transaction charges’ and income tax. After two days, she deposited another Rs 60,000 towards foreign transaction charges. When the gang further demanded to pay Rs 1.87 lakh as the final settlement, the girl grew suspicious and realised that she was cheated in the guise of the bumper prize, and approached the police.
“The girl deposited money to the fraudsters in three instalments, which amounted to Rs 1.61 lakh. A case under relevant sections of cybercrime was registered,” said Thotlavvalur police officials.

Meanwhile, police commissioner Gautam Sawang said awareness should be created among youth and residents against such fraudulent SMSes and emails that cheat people in the guise of a bumper prize.
“With lack of awareness and greed, people are losing huge sums. Prior to responding to such offers, people should report to the police so that action could be taken,” Sawang said.

Lottery lunacy
Annavarapu Krupa Leela (20) saw a mail in her mother’s account on February 6 stating that she won a bumper prize of R5.35 crore through Coca-Cola Lottery Scheme. Believing the mail, she contacted them and was asked to pay R1.61 lakh in three instalments

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