Summary of this article
Facebook friendship allegedly led Gorakhpur man into Rs 15.20 lakh airport scam.
Woman claimed luggage was detained at Delhi airport, demanding money for release.
Victim transferred Rs 15,20,399 before suspecting fraud and approaching police.
Social media platforms have made it easier for people to connect with strangers and form friendships online. While these interactions can also be misused by scammers who create trust from the conversations before trapping people in a scam.
A case from Gorakhpur highlights how an online friendship allegedly turned into a Rs 15.20 lakh fraud after a woman claimed that her luggage had been held at Delhi airport and needed money to be released.
How Did The Scam Begin
According to a PTI report, Indralal Jaiswal, from Khoria alias Bhiti village in Gorakhpur’s Khajni area, approached the police after allegedly losing Rs 15,20,399 in the incident. An FIR has been registered against an unidentified woman, and the cybercrime cell is investigating the matter.
Jaiswal reportedly met the woman through Facebook, where she introduced herself as Charlotte Olivia. She allegedly told him that she was a US resident working in Syria and later said that she planned to visit India.
The woman subsequently claimed that she had reached Delhi airport but that officials had detained her luggage. She allegedly told Jaiswal that money was required to get the luggage released.
According to the report, Jaiswal transferred Rs 15,20,399 from his SBI account through the bank’s mobile application. According to the complaint, the money was sent to multiple bank accounts provided by the woman.
The alleged demands did not end after the transfers. When the woman continued asking for more money, Jaiswal reportedly became suspicious and realised that he may have been targeted in a cyber fraud.
He then filed a complaint on the national cybercrime portal and approached the police. During the investigation, Jaiswal reportedly told officials that the WhatsApp numbers associated with the woman showed the names Charlotte Olivia and Sonam Kumari.
The complainant has submitted transaction records and other evidence to the police, according to the report. Inspector Jayant Kumar Singh said an FIR had been registered against an unidentified woman in the name of Charlotte Olivia.
The Inspector also said the cybercrime cell was examining the transactions and collecting details of the bank accounts allegedly involved in the fraud.
How To Protect Yourself From Social Media Scams
Be cautious when an online contact you have never met asks for money, particularly when the request involves an urgent emergency. Always check their identity and claims independently before transferring funds, and never share OTPs, passwords or banking details.
If you suspect that you have been targeted by an online financial fraud, contact your bank immediately and report the incident to the national cybercrime helpline number at 1930.
