Cyber Crime
Rs 2 Crore for Your Kidney? The Truth Behind This Online Scam Will Shock You!
CA in debt sought Rs 2 crore selling kidney online. He lost Rs 6.2 lakh in a scam! Never share personal details for organ donation.
A Bengaluru-based chartered accountant’s attempt to solve his financial woes through an unorthodox method backfired spectacularly, landing him Rs 6.2 lakh poorer.
The victim, identified as Raghuvaran (name changed), fell prey to online scam that promised a hefty sum in exchange for his kidney.
Raghuvaran, a 46-year-old resident of Mathikere, approached Central CEN Crime police in late February to report the fraud.
According to his complaint, he stumbled upon a website called kidneysuperspecialist.org while searching online for kidney donation opportunities. The website, designed to appear legitimate, offered a contact number that, upon calling, directed him to communicate with the alleged recipients via WhatsApp.
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The scammers, feigning the professionalism of medical personnel, began by requesting Raghuvaran’s basic information. When he revealed his rare AB-negative blood type, the bait was cast. The fraudsters dangled a seemingly lucrative deal: a staggering Rs 2 crore for his kidney, with half the amount promised as an upfront payment.
Enticed by the prospect of resolving his financial burdens, Raghuvaran sent copies of his Aadhaar card, PAN card, and photograph to an email address provided by the scammers. This marked the beginning of a series of fabricated charges. Raghuvaran was pressured into paying fees for a No Objection Certificate (NOC), registration, code purchase, and even code operation – totaling Rs 1,13,000.
Despite these initial payments, the extortion continued. On March 2nd, Raghuvaran was instructed to pay Rs 5 lakh for a fictitious tax clearance, supposedly required to facilitate the transfer of funds into his account. Blinded by the promise of a quick financial turnaround, he continued to comply with their instructions.
However, a red flag emerged on March 3rd. A woman, posing as a staff member from a Delhi branch of State Bank of India, contacted Raghuvaran. Her outlandish request for an additional Rs 7.6 lakh for an “anti-drug and terrorist clearance form” finally shattered the illusion.
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Fortunately, Raghuvaran sought advice from his boss and friends before succumbing to this final demand. They immediately recognized the scam and urged him to file a police complaint.
Raghuvaran, motivated by his financial struggles, confessed his desire to use the promised money to pay off car EMIs, credit cards, and other debts. He admitted to being unaware of the illegality of selling organs on the black market.
The police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and IPC Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing the delivery of property). Efforts are underway to freeze the bank accounts used by the fraudsters, and authorities suspect that more victims may have been targeted in a similar manner.
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This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ever-present danger of online scams. Individuals facing financial hardship are particularly susceptible to falling prey to such schemes.
Law enforcement agencies continuously advise people to exercise extreme caution while dealing with unsolicited online offers, especially those involving significant financial transactions. It is crucial to verify the legitimacy of any website or individual before sharing personal information or making any payments. If an offer seems too good to be true, it most likely is.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Chartered accountant sought financial relief by selling a kidney online.
- Contacted a website posing as a kidney specialist organization.
- Lured by a hefty sum (Rs 2 crore), he shared personal details and paid fees.
- Scam escalated with demands for tax clearance and anti-drug/terrorist forms.
- Total loss: Rs 6.2 lakh before realizing it was a scam.
- Police filed a case and advised caution against online offers, especially for organ donation.