Cyber fraud took a hit in Noida as Sector-113 police exposed a cunning racket on January 19, collaring Priyanka Vats, 29, from Delhi’s Rohini area. The arrest near Sector-119 yielded gold ornaments worth Rs 2.15 lakh, bought with victims’ stolen funds, plus the fraud phone disguised with a bindi.
The scam was masterfully executed: fake Facebook pages promised instant HDFC credit cards. Victims, eager for approvals, shared screens during calls, unwittingly surrendering card details and net banking access. Priyanka and husband Vikrant converted the data into gold hauls from e-stores.
A jewelry bill corroborated the loot’s origins, while Priyanka’s interrogation laid bare the plot. The bindi on the phone camera was her signature mask during identity-hiding video interactions. With her husband under scanner, investigations deepen into accomplices.
Police highlight preventive measures amid rising online cons. Banks don’t solicit OTPs or passwords telephonically. Shun unknown links, avoid screen shares with strangers, and ignore dubious offers. Fallen prey? Contact 1930 without delay for swift intervention.
As digital transactions boom, such busts reinforce the need for fortified online habits. Noida’s action not only recovers assets but deters copycats, fostering a safer cyber ecosystem for all.