Telangana : Man arrested for allegedly cheating 140 people of over Rs 5.3 crore through social media

Telangana's Adilabad district police arrested a 22-year-old Rajasthan man for allegedly cheating people through social media on the pretext of selling mobile spare parts and accessories, officials said on Wednesday.

The accused, identified as Prakash Kumar of Jalore district, Rajasthan, runs a mobile shop and was arrested in connection with a case involving the alleged cheating of a mobile shop owner from Ichoda mandal of Rs 2.18 lakh.

During the investigation, police found that Kumar had allegedly cheated around 140 people across 19 states, causing financial losses of more than Rs 5.30 crore, Adilabad District Superintendent of Police Akhil Mahajan said in a release.

Police seized two mobile phones and Rs 1 lakh in cash from his possession.

According to police, the complainant was searching on a social media platform in July for mobile chargers, displays and other accessories for his shop when he came across an account offering such products.

The person operating the account allegedly claimed to supply mobile spare parts and accessories and assured the complainant that the goods would be sent by courier after online payment.

Believing the claims, the complainant made multiple payments between July 25 and August 8, transferring a total of Rs 2.18 lakh.

The accused later allegedly sent a courier receipt through an instant messaging application and told the complainant that the parcel had been dispatched.

However, when the complainant was asked to collect the parcel from a courier office on August 22, he could not find it in Ichoda or Adilabad, police said.

Realising that he had been cheated, the complainant contacted the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 and lodged a complaint.

Based on the complaint, Ichoda Police registered a case and began an investigation. Technical evidence and cyber investigation helped police identify the accused, who was subsequently arrested.

Further investigation is underway.

The SP advised people against making advance payments to unknown persons offering mobile spare parts, accessories or other products through social media, particularly when the prices are unusually low.