Gurgaon: A dairy farmer from Pandala in Gurgaon, Sukhbir, fell prey to an online scam while attempting to expand his business by purchasing cows through the internet. Sukhbir’s son, Parveen (30), revealed that his father was lured by the prospect of acquiring cows at a significantly lower price online, only to realize later that he had been swindled out of Rs 22,000.
The temptation of acquiring cows at a fraction of the cost compared to offline markets enticed Sukhbir into exploring online avenues. He stumbled upon an offer advertising four cows for Rs 95,000, a seemingly lucrative deal compared to the offline market rates.
Trusting the authenticity of the offer, Sukhbir initiated transactions totaling Rs 22,999 in four installments between January 19 and 20. However, his hopes were shattered when he discovered that the promised cows were nonexistent, and he had fallen victim to an elaborate online scam.
Parveen recounted the sequence of events, stating that his father came across a contact number on Google and subsequently engaged in communication regarding the purchase of cows. The scammers, posing as sellers, provided photos of cows and offered to sell them under the guise of a gaushala.
“As my father inquired further, the scammers demanded additional funds, citing various pretexts. Alarmed by the escalating demands, my father lodged a complaint with the authorities. In response, the scammers resorted to threats,” Parveen narrated to The Indian Express.
Highlighting Sukhbir’s intent to expand his dairy business, Parveen disclosed that his father’s endeavor was motivated by the desire to augment their existing livestock of five cows.
Police investigations revealed that the funds transferred by Sukhbir were routed to an Axis Bank account. Subsequently, authorities issued a notice to freeze the account and requested banking records for further scrutiny. A senior police officer confirmed ongoing investigations and the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 419 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code against unidentified perpetrators.
The incident underscores the perils of online transactions and serves as a cautionary tale against falling victim to fraudulent schemes.