Student cheated of Rs 50,000 while trying to get US dollars

BENGALURU: A 23-year-old management student of a private college near Chandapura in Anekal taluk was cheated of Rs 50,000 by tech-savvy criminals, who lured him online in the guise of helping him get US currency.

Suryanagar police said Akash Ravindra Nayak of Chandapura, who was planning a trip to Sri Lanka, learnt that he’d need $1,400 for his trip expenses. Akash searched online for ways to get

US dollars

in exchange for Indian rupees and found a contact number.

He called the number and a person, who identified himself as Aravind, responded. When Akash enquired about the procedure to get US currency, Aravind told him that he won’t be able to get dollars directly due ot RBI curbs. Akash was told that he’d have to link his bank account with that of Aravind’s firm. Akash believed Aravind and shared his account details. He also shared an OTP (one-time password) he had received with Aravind.

“I got three messages about three

financial transaction

, during which Rs 50,000 was deducted from my account. I suspected foul play and immediately informed my bank to block my account,” Akash said in his complaint.

Suryanagar police said they have registered a case of cheating under Section 420 of IPC and Information Technology Act. The incident took place on January 15 and the complaint was filed on February 15, after Akash discussed the matter with his parents. “We are investigating the case with assistance from cybercrime police,” Suryanagar police said.