Sat Mar 21 14:53:43 UTC 2026: # Pune Resident Duped of Rs 3.1 Lakh in Online Electric Burner Scam
The Story: An 81-year-old man from Pune fell victim to cyber fraud, losing Rs 3.10 lakh after attempting to purchase an electric burner online. The victim, a retired resident of Bhusari Colony in Kothrud, responded to a Facebook advertisement for an electric burner priced at Rs 1,500. What began as a small online transaction quickly escalated into a series of fraudulent requests for money, ultimately leading to a significant financial loss for the elderly man.
Key Points:
- The victim saw an advertisement on February 11 for an electric burner on Facebook.
- He initially transferred Rs 500 as an advance payment via Google Pay.
- He then transferred Rs 1,000 to generate the bill for the burner.
- Fraudsters claimed they hadn’t received the payments and requested repeated transfers.
- The victim made 13 online transactions, totaling Rs 3,10,548, between February 11 and February 16.
- He filed a complaint on March 14 at the Cyber police station.
- An FIR was registered at the Kothrud police station under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Key Takeaways:
- Online advertisements remain a significant avenue for cyber fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable populations.
- Fraudsters often use small initial transactions to gain trust before escalating their demands.
- The elderly are particularly susceptible to these scams due to a potential lack of familiarity with online security protocols.
- Verification processes by online payment platforms and banks need to be strengthened to detect and prevent fraudulent transactions.
- Increased public awareness campaigns are crucial to educate individuals about common cyber fraud tactics.
First Piper 