Representative image of cyber scam.
Credit: iStock Photo
Mangaluru: A woman in Mangaluru was reportedly defrauded of Rs 7.76 lakh after falling prey to an online lottery scam linked to the popular television quiz show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC).
According to the complaint, the incident began on May 23 when the woman was using Facebook at home. She came across a post related to KBC and clicked on the attached link, submitting some details in response.
On May 27, she received a phone call from a person identifying himself as Sanjeev Kumar, who claimed to represent the KBC office in Delhi. He informed her that she had won a prize of Rs 8 lakh. To proceed with the prize claim, the caller requested her Aadhaar number, PAN card, and a photograph, which she shared via WhatsApp.
Subsequently, the caller demanded payments for registration, TDS, and various processing charges, promising that the amounts would be reimbursed along with the prize money.
Trusting the assurances, the woman transferred Rs 7.76 lakh in multiple installments through Google Pay between May 27 and July 19.
When she realised she had been cheated, she approached the police. A case has been registered at Urva Police Station, and investigations are underway.