In a recent breakthrough, the Dakshina Kannada Cyber Economic and Narcotic (CEN) Crime police have arrested Atul Tripathy, a 29-year-old resident of Navi Mumbai, for his involvement in an online job scam that defrauded a Bantwal resident of Rs88,000.
The incident came to light when V. Gokul, a 32-year-old resident of B. Mooda village, Bantwal, filed a complaint in May 2024. Gokul stated that he had responded to an online advertisement for job opportunities abroad. Shortly after submitting his resume, Gokul received a call from the suspect, who promised him a job abroad and demanded consultation charges.
Following the instructions of the caller, Gokul made several transfers over a period of two months. He transferred Rs23,000 on February 14, 2024, Rs32,500 on March 11, 2024, Rs15,000 on March 31, 2024, and Rs17,500 on April 15, 2024, bringing the total amount defrauded to Rs88,000.
Upon realizing he had been scammed, Gokul approached the police, leading to the arrest of Atul Tripathy. The investigation revealed that Tripathy was the mastermind behind the fraudulent scheme. The police are continuing their probe to determine whether more victims have fallen prey to this scam.
The successful arrest of Tripathy highlights the ongoing efforts of the Dakshina Kannada Cyber Crime team to combat online fraud and protect residents from such scams. Authorities have urged the public to be cautious when applying for jobs online and to verify the legitimacy of any job offers before making payments.