Fri Dec 06 18:05:03 UTC 2024: **Madurai Parents Scammed in Government Scholarship Phone Fraud**
MADURAI, December 6, 2024 – Dozens of parents in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, have fallen victim to a sophisticated phone scam promising government scholarships. Victims reported receiving calls with seemingly authentic details about their children, including names, father’s names, and Class X marks. Callers then requested a small service charge, typically ₹1,000 to ₹5,000, via mobile payment apps to process the fictitious ₹20,000 scholarship. While victims initially received a confirmation screenshot showing the scholarship credited, the money never appeared in their bank accounts.
The scam has primarily targeted parents in the Alanganallur and Usilampatti areas. Madurai District Superintendent of Police B.K. Arvind confirmed the surge in complaints and stated that an investigation is underway, with initial findings suggesting the perpetrators are based in northern India, despite speaking fluent Tamil.
Police are concerned about the rising number of incidents despite the relatively small amount of money lost per victim. To combat the fraud, the police held a community meeting to raise awareness, urging parents not to trust unsolicited calls regarding scholarships. The SP advised victims to report such incidents immediately via the 1930 helpline or the Cyber Crime Police Station. The police highlighted the gullibility of parents, who often pay the fee before realizing they’ve been defrauded.
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