Udupi Man Loses ₹1 Lakh After Fraudster Impersonates Friend in Online Scam

Udupi: An online fraud case involving a loss of ₹1 lakh has been registered at the Udupi City Police Station after an unidentified person impersonated a man’s friend and cheated him using fake payment claims.

According to the police complaint, the incident took place on January 15. The victim, Ashok, a resident of Kunjibettu, received a phone call from an unknown person who introduced himself as “Sandeep.” Since Ashok had previously worked with someone by that name, he believed the caller was genuine.

The caller claimed that his brother had been admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru due to a heart condition and that he urgently needed money to purchase a stent. He told Ashok that his Google Pay account was not functioning and that he was unable to transfer money directly to the doctor. To gain trust, the caller said he had already transferred ₹50,000 to Ashok’s account.

Shortly after, Ashok received a message on his phone stating that ₹50,000 had been credited to his bank account. Believing the message to be genuine, Ashok informed the caller and transferred ₹50,000 back using his wife’s Google Pay account.

While still on the call, the fraudster repeated the same claim, saying he had sent another ₹50,000. Ashok again received a message indicating a credit of ₹50,000 and transferred the amount back through his wife’s Google Pay account.

Later, when Ashok checked his bank balance, he discovered that no money had actually been credited to his account. Suspecting fraud, he contacted his real friend Sandeep, who denied making any such call or requesting money.

Realizing that he had been deceived, Ashok lodged a complaint with the Udupi City Police, stating that an unknown person impersonated his friend and cheated him of ₹1 lakh through an online scam. Police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.