Digital fraud
Pune: A 25-year-old graduate from Parvati was arrested on Tuesday for allegedly cheating a youngster of Rs1.5 lakh after posing as a woman on a social media platform.
The suspect used voice-modulation software to change his voice to that of a woman, according to the Pune cyber police. The suspect used to send random friend requests on a multimedia mobile messaging app, the police said. After befriending them via chats on the app, the suspect would gradually win their confidence through conversations, the police said, adding that he allegedly spoke to them in a sleazy manner. The suspect would tell the youngsters about cryptocurrency, forex trading as well as other investment options after gaining their trust, the police said.
He also used the photograph of a Haryana-based woman social media influencer, a popular dance performer, as his fake profile picture. A team led by senior inspector Swapnali Shinde and inspector Sangeeta Deokate of the Pune cyber police tracked down the suspect after tracing his IP address and bank account details. He allegedly targeted youngsters from financially affluent families.
The complainant confronted the suspect, following which the latter shut down his social media account. The victim then approached the police, leading to the investigation and the suspect’s subsequent arrest.