B’luru: Instagram “friend” cons woman of Rs 19 lakhs

Bengaluru: A woman was cheated of Rs 19 lakhs by a person who befriended her through the social media platform Instagram.

The victim, Suma from Basavanagudi lodged a complaint in this regard at the CEN police station.

As per the complaint, Suma got introduced to the stranger, who called himself Yusuf Mathew, on Instagram 3 years ago. After building a rapport, he made video call to the victim, claiming that his daughter was ill and needed money for paying the customs department. He also sent fake receipts and requested the woman to send money and promised to pay her back later.

Believing in the story, Suma sent money from her and from her friends’ bank accounts to the one supplied by the Instagram “friend.” Since January 14, 2019, the woman paid Rs 19,03,467 but has not received a penny back, the complaint says.

The woman has sought legal action against the culprits behind the scam.

Meanwhile, CEN police have registered an FIR and are investigating the matter.