Pune : A gym equipment manufacturing firm in Bhosari MIDC lost Rs 50 lakh after its accountant transferred the money to a bank account on the instructions of a fraudster impersonating the company’s owner on a mobile messaging app. The fraud came to light when the fraudster sought a second payment while the actual owner was present in the office.
The complainant was told to transfer Rs 50 lakh to a bank account. Some time later, the suspect told the complainant to transfer Rs 49 lakh more.
A police officer said the complainant, the company’s accounts manager, received a message from an unknown mobile number seeking details about the firm’s bank accounts. “The accountant did not suspect a thing because the sender used the company owner’s name and photograph,” the officer said. He even sent a transfer confirmation to the same number, police said.
Before transferring the money, however, he thought to personally confirm with the company owner — who was in the office at the time — and uncovered the fraud. In this type of fraud, crooks impersonate company owners, chief executive officers or other senior executives to trick employees into transferring money to accounts controlled by them. Fraudsters may create messaging profiles using the names and photographs of the person they’re impersonating, often targeting employees who handle company finances. The police have urged company managements to have in place a mandatory verification system before transferring money, particularly if such instructions are sent through unofficial or unauthorised communication channels. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Pune | Silver Rate in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune | Petrol Price in Pune | Diesel Price in Pune | CNG Price in Pune | LPG Price in Pune