PUNE: A 62-year-old woman has been robbed of more than Rs 22 lakh by a person who befriended her through Facebook. A case was registered at Hadapsar police station on Sunday.
The senior citizen in her complaint informed the police that she was befriended by a person identified as Berry Griffin on Facebook. After befriending her, the person operating from the account of Griffin gained her confidence by mentioning that he works as a social worker and visits India for work.
According to the Hadapsar police, on February 15, Griffin messaged her and mentioned that he has been held by customs officials at the airport for carrying a large number of foreign currency notes. The accused then requested her to help him and secure his release by giving money to customs officials.
Rahul Ghughe, Police Sub-Inspector, Hadapsar police station, said, "The accused befriended the complainant through Facebook. Gradually, the person exchanged the contact number with her and started conversing with her through WhatsApp. On September 15, 2017, the complainant received a message from the accused that he visiting India for some work. Then a day later, the victim received a message from Griifin that he is been struck at Delhi airport for carrying foreign currency notes. On the same day, she received a call from another number. The caller was a woman who identified himself as a custom official and told her that Griffin will only be released if she transfers money equivalent to currency notes in his account. After which, the complainant transferred money amounting to Rs 22,52,285 into his account through various transaction till February 2018.
A case of cheating has been registered against the accused.
