A 50-year-old dairy farmer from Gurgaon fell prey to an elaborate online scam while attempting to expand his business by purchasing cows online. Sukhbir, a resident of Pandala village, came across an advertisement for four cows listed at a deal price of Rs 95,000. Believing the deal to be genuine, he transferred an advance amount of Rs 22,000 to the scammers in four instalments. However, he soon realised he had been deceived when the sellers started making more monetary demands and went incommunicado.
As per the Indian Express report, according to Sukhbir’s son, Parveen, his father found the fraudulent cow-selling website while watching YouTube videos. The family already owns five cows, and Sukhbir was hoping to expand the dairy business by purchasing four more cows. The scammers sent photos of cows on WhatsApp for Sukhbir to select from and offered an even lower price of Rs 35,000 per cow if he purchased four cows, totalling Rs 95,000. The discounted rates compared to market prices of around Rs 1 Lakh for a cow convinced Sukhbir of the authenticity of the deal. After he made the first payment instalment of Rs 8,000, the scammers cleverly demanded more money for transport and other formalities, eventually extracting Rs 22,000 from the naive farmer.
Police Complaint and Investigation
When Sukhbir sensed something flawed with endless monetary demands, he lodged a police complaint, the report added. Investigations revealed the money had been transferred to an Axis Bank account, which has now been frozen. The police have filed a case of cheating and breach of trust against unknown persons and are awaiting bank account records for further leads.
With the advancement in technology, online scams have also increased. This incident highlights the need for better cybersecurity awareness, especially among older adults. Here are some tips that you must keep in mind while shopping online.
Tips To Avoid Online Scams
To avoid falling victim to online scams like the one experienced by Sukhbir, here are some tips to stay aware and protect yourself:
1. Before making any online purchase or investment, thoroughly research the seller or website. Look for reviews, ratings, and any complaints from other customers.
2. Verify the legitimacy of the website or seller. Check for contact information, physical addresses, and customer service details. Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true.
3. Whenever possible, make purchases through trusted and reputable online platforms that offer buyer protection and secure payment methods.
4. Be cautious of unsolicited offers, especially those received through email, social media, or unfamiliar websites. Scammers often use these channels to lure victims. Be wary of sellers who request payment upfront or pressure you to act quickly. Look out for inconsistencies in product descriptions, prices, or payment methods.
5. Use secure payment methods that offer buyer protection, such as credit cards or payment gateways with fraud detection mechanisms. Avoid wire transfers or prepaid cards, as these are difficult to trace and recover funds from in case of fraud.
