Latest news with #RTGS
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Woman duped of Rs 18.7L in investment scam
Mangaluru: A woman fell victim to an investment scam and reportedly lost Rs 18.7 lakh. According to police, the incident began on April 28, when the complainant received a link via Instagram. Upon clicking, the complainant was added to a WhatsApp group managed by two persons identified as Hanan Delvi and Ishita Paul. The complainant was instructed to open an account on a trading platform through a provided link and submit personal details, including Aadhaar and bank account information. They were then introduced to OTC trading, with instructions to buy stocks between 9.30 am and 3.30 pm and sell them between 3.30 pm and 9 pm. Between May 7 and 16, the complainant transferred funds to various bank accounts for stock purchases. The group administrators promised a 15% average profit and showed a Rs 23 lakh profit in the complainant's trading dashboard. Later, the victim was asked to subscribe to a pharmaceutical company, with an investment target of Rs 65 lakh. Initially, the complainant transferred Rs 10 lakh via RTGS between May 20 and 21. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like One of the Most Successful Investors of All Time, Warren Buffett, Recommends: 5 Books for Turning... Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Click Here Undo However, when the complainant sought to withdraw the funds, she was told to invest an additional Rs 32 lakh to receive Rs 3 crore in returns. Suspecting foul play, and contacted the accused on June 13, only to be blocked. A case was registered at the Mangaluru South police station. Woman loses Rs 1.3 lakh in loan scam A woman reportedly lost Rs 1.3 lakh in a loan scam. In a complaint filed at the Kankanady Town police station, the victim stated that on June 11, while watching Facebook Reels on her mobile phone, she came across an advertisement offering easy loans. Curious, she contacted the phone number mentioned in the ad. The person who responded asked her to share her Aadhaar number, bank account details, and a photograph via WhatsApp, which she did. Soon after, the fraudster sent her a QR code, claiming it was for loan processing charges. Believing the claim, she transferred Rs 2,000. Over the next few days, between June 11 and June 16, she was persuaded to transfer additional funds and she transferred Rs 99,700 and Rs 26,300 in phases by scanning QR codes shared by the accused. On June 17, when she was asked to pay another Rs 34,000, she grew suspicious and realised she was duped. She immediately called the cybercrime emergency helpline (1930) and later filed a complaint with the Kankanady Town police. According to officers, fraudsters in such scams often promise large loans and extract money from victims under the pretext of processing charges and taxes. An investigation is on
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Elderly couple loses Rs 2.4cr in Kol's biggest digi arrest scam
Kolkata: A 72-year-old woman and her husband, both former professors, residing in Baisnabghata Patuli Township, have become victims of the biggest 'digital arrest' fraud reported this year, losing Rs 2.4 crore to scammers. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Posing as CBI officials, the fraudsters accused the victims of being involved in money laundering and put them under 'digital arrest' for 12 days, during which they transferred money to the crooks from four bank accounts. The couple has now lodged an FIR with Patuli police detailing the bank transactions that took place between June 6 and June 17. According to the complaint, the couple received a call on June 4 from an unknown number. "The person at the other end claimed he was a senior CBI officer. More joined in and they threatened us saying we were involved in money laundering. They said they were placing us under digital arrest till we returned the cheated amount of money. Subsequently, from June 6-17, in phases, my husband and I were coerced into transferring a total of Rs 2,36,38,000 from our personal accounts to unknown individuals' accounts," the complaint states. A case has been registered under BNS sections pertaining to cheating and criminal conspiracy. The detective department is likely to assist in the probe, senior officers at Lalbazar said. When contacted by TOI, one of the victims said, "We are already under extreme trauma. Do not try to contact us again." An investigating officer said the scammers coerced the victims into transferring funds through multiple RTGS transactions from their accounts in two public sector banks. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Officers from Patuli police station and cyber cell of South Suburban Division are now trying to freeze the recipient accounts and track the digital footprint of the scammers. The case follows a pattern of similar frauds targeting senior citizens over the past year and half. A combination of reasons, including unfamiliarity with the digital world and emotional vulnerability of the elderly, are factors behind the overwhelming number of senior citizens falling prey to cyber frauds, say senior police officers. The fact that many of them stay alone with no youngsters at home for long periods make them vulnerable to blackmail and threats by cyber crooks. According to another officer, older adults are targeted because they are more likely to respond to communications from legitimate-looking sources such as a bank, police or a govt department. "Research suggests this relates to a greater generational trust in authority. Besides, older people are more likely to live alone and have smaller social networks. This reduces opportunities to discuss potential scams and seek advice from others when they have concerns or doubts about the legitimacy of online requests," he claimed.
Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
FIR filed against Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma for allegedly kidnapping and extorting money from Bengali film producer
Days after actor-couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma said that they were the target of a financial fraud, Bengali film producer Shyam Sunder Dey has now accused them of kidnapping him in Goa, physical assault and extortion of money. An FIR was filed against the duo by Shyam's wife, Malabika Dey. (Also Read | Actors Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma lose all savings after fraud by close friend: 'Zero pe laake khada kar diya hai') As per a Times of India report, Shyam said after his family left, he decided to stay back in Goa for some work. Shyam alleged that one day when he was driving a rented car, a black Jaguar "came out of nowhere and forced me to a halt". Two men then asked him to step out of his car but he refused. But after noticing Puja was there, he let his "guard down, thinking this must be a misunderstanding". Shyam said he was taken to Amber Villa and was initially kept on the first floor and then shifted upstairs. He accused Kunal of beating him and Puja of not helping despite his pleadings. "I stayed at the villa from the 1st to the 4th of June. I wasn't allowed to leave. Every day, I tried to reason with Puja and Kunal — I reminded them we were like family and pleaded with them to stop. But all I faced were threats. I told her, 'Your husband is beating me, fine. But other men are thrashing me in front of you, and you're silent?' How can this be right?" Shyam told Times of India. "I am not saying that the money they demanded was compensation for the abduction. Yes, we had professional transactions. But no business loss, no due payment can justify this kind of madness. Abduction or kidnapping can never be a fair or lawful way to settle anything. There is no excuse for what happened," he added. Taking to Facebook, Malabika shared a detailed note on what happened, including claims of physical and mental assault on Shyam. "This incident is not just a serious crime, it is a betrayal and a breach of trust towards a friend. In addition to physical and mental abuse on Shyam, our entire family is suffering deep mental damage from this incident. We are tackling the legal way and have full confidence in the judicial system. I urge all creative society members to be alert," she wrote. Malabika said that Shyam was threatened with his involvement in a drug case if he didn't pay around ₹64 lakh. She wrote that Shyam paid ₹23 lakh, including cash, to "Puja's assistant Munmun in Kolkata and RTGS transfer to Puja and Kunal's bank accounts". She also shared pictures of the FIR copy, WhatsApp chats, and financial documents of the transactions. In her post in Bengali, Malabika wrote, "More horrible aspects of this incident: Puja and Kunal snatched Shyam's mobile phones, forcefully collected his personal information and passwords. They recorded multiple videos with Sham, where he was forced to say and sign printed paper that he voluntarily stayed at Amber Villa Resort." She added that with the help of the Goa Police, Shyam was rescued safely. An FIR was filed against Puja and Kunal under Section 126(2), 137(2), 140(2), 308(2), 115(2), 351(3), 61(2) & 3(5). Recently, in an interview with ETimes, Puja had said, 'These past 2-3 months have been extremely difficult for us, and we have no idea what will happen next. We have been victims of a fraudulent financial scam and we lost a huge amount…We lost all our savings in this fraud.' Puja and Kunal had said that the person was close to them. "When you trust someone for the past 3 years... Has been with you, became a part of your home and family..." Kunal had said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bengali filmmaker Shyam Sunder Dey and wife Malabika accuse TV couple Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma of kidnapping and extortion
Days after Puja Banerjee and Kunal Verma spoke about falling prey to a financial scam, Bengali Film producer, Shyam Sunder Dey accused them of kidnapping, detaining him in Goa, and extorting lakhs from him. Malabika, Dey's wife has now filed a complaint with the police, and the two actors have been charged. While speaking to Times of India, Dey made a revelation that he was kidnapped during his family vacation in Goa, he said, "My family stayed with me for about five days. They returned home for my child's education purpose, and I decided to stay on to attend to some business matters,' he said. While driving a rented car— Shyam alleged that a black Jaguar intercepted his vehicle on the main road. 'It came out of nowhere and forced me to a halt. Two men got down, approached me, and insisted I step out, all of it I assume will be there in CCTV. At first, I refused. But then I noticed Puja Banerjee — who has been like a sister to me — was present. Seeing her, I let my guard down, thinking this must be a misunderstanding," Shyam shared. According to Dey, he was first taken to a friend's house and then shifted to a villa. "They made me sit in their car and took me to Amber Villa. Initially, I was kept on the first floor, but because it was too close to the road and they feared attention, I was shifted upstairs." Shyam further shared that Kunal had beaten him and Puja was watching them despite him pleading, "I stayed at the villa from the 1st to the 4th of June. I wasn't allowed to leave. Every day I tried to reason with Puja and Kunal — I reminded them we were like family and pleaded with them to stop. But all I faced were threats. I told her, your husband is beating me, fine. But other men are thrashing me in front of you, and you're silent? How can this be right?" Further in a post, Malabika detailed their ordeal, Shyam was abducted and locked up at Amber Villa for four days. He was abused, recorded under duress, and threatened with false implication in a narcotics case if he did not pay ₹64 lakh. Under pressure, he sent ₹23 lakh, including payments to Puja's assistant in Kolkata and RTGS transactions to her and Kunal's accounts. According to Malabika's post, the occurrence was more than just a crime; it was a terrible betrayal that inflicted irreversible mental and psychological suffering. We're looking for justice and advising others to be wary about the company they keep." Malabika shared all the documents including the bank transfers, Whatsapp chats and even the complaint reports and emails. Shyam Sunder added, "I am not saying that the money they demanded was compensation for the abduction. Yes, we had professional transactions. But no business loss, no due payment can justify this kind of madness. Abduction or kidnapping can never be a fair or lawful way to settle anything. There is no excuse for what happened. "
New Indian Express
13-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Ethiopian delegates praise Andhra's RTGS for tech-driven governance
VIJAYAWADA: A 10-member delegation from Ethiopia, led by Girum Ketema Teklemariam, Director of Ethiopia's Digital Agriculture and Finance Program, visited the Real-Time Governance Society (RTGS) at the State Secretariat in Amaravati. The team is on a study tour to explore tech-driven governance models. RTGS Deputy CEO M Madhuri welcomed the delegation and presented an overview of RTGS's functioning. She explained how the platform bridges the gap between the government and citizens by enabling real-time monitoring, swift grievance redressal, and effective service delivery. She said that the RTGS concept was initiated under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, positioning AP as a pioneer in tech-enabled governance. She informed the visitors about the ongoing development of a comprehensive data lake integrating information from all departments, aimed at boosting transparency and administrative efficiency. She also showcased the 'Mana Mitra' WhatsApp Governance system, which currently offers 455 services and is expected to cross 1,000 soon. RTGS has also launched an 'Aware Hub' in partnership with ISRO to monitor real-time weather conditions and issue alerts. A dedicated AI Hub is being set up to enhance public service delivery through AI.
