Navi Mumbai Logistics Firm Loses ₹62 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

A logistics company in CBD Belapur, Navi Mumbai, has been duped of ₹62 lakh by a cyber gang that impersonated its UK-based owner on WhatsApp. The fraudsters used the owner's photograph as a WhatsApp profile picture and contacted the company's accountant, convincing her to transfer money from the company's bank account to two IndusInd Bank accounts.

The Navi Mumbai Cyber Police have registered a case against the unidentified accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Police Inspector Vishal Patil is conducting further investigations into the matter.

According to the police, the accused gained the accountant's confidence by using the owner's photograph on WhatsApp and instructing her to transfer the funds. The police are tracing the mobile number, bank accounts, and digital transactions linked to the fraud.

The company, located in Sector 15, CBD Belapur, has its owner residing in the United Kingdom. The owner visits India every two to three months to review the company's operations. The fraud came to light after the accountant received a WhatsApp message on August 19 from an unknown number displaying the owner's photograph.

The fraudster, posing as the owner, first asked about the balance in the company's bank account and instructed her to urgently transfer ₹95 lakh to an IndusInd Bank account. Believing the messages to be genuine, the accountant transferred ₹30 lakh in two instalments and shared the transaction receipts through WhatsApp.

On August 31, the same WhatsApp number was used to demand another ₹32 lakh, this time to a different IndusInd Bank account. When the accountant pointed out that the company needed sufficient funds to pay employees' salaries, the fraudster allegedly told her to pay the salaries the following day and transfer the money first. She subsequently transferred another ₹32 lakh.

The company realized it had been defrauded when another accountant contacted the company's actual owner through his original WhatsApp number and requested funds for salary payments. The owner then denied having instructed anyone to transfer money from the company's account. The employees subsequently checked the beneficiary accounts and found that neither account belonged to any of the company's vendors.

The company immediately contacted the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 and lodged a complaint. The cyber police are now tracing the accused, the beneficiary bank accounts, and the movement of the defrauded funds.

This incident highlights the growing concern of cyber fraud in India, particularly in the business sector. Companies must be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent such incidents. The police are also urging people to be cautious when receiving messages or calls from unknown numbers, even if they appear to be from someone they know.

The Navi Mumbai Cyber Police are working to prevent such incidents and are urging companies to report any suspicious activity immediately. The police are also providing guidance on how to prevent cyber fraud and are working to create awareness about the issue.

In conclusion, the logistics company in Navi Mumbai has been duped of ₹62 lakh by a cyber gang that impersonated its UK-based owner on WhatsApp. The incident highlights the need for companies to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to prevent cyber fraud. The police are working to prevent such incidents and are urging companies to report any suspicious activity immediately.