Online impostor dupes woman of ` 7 lakh

A fraudster duped a 27-year-old woman of ` 7 lakh after getting familiar with her through a matrimonial site. He had impressed upon the victim and her family through his online profile that showed him as a US-based entrepreneur.

After some conversations over the phone, the conman proposed to the woman. They remained in constant touch since then and it was in March 2013 when, for the first time, the man sought some financial help from her.

The victim is a researcher at a city institute and stays in Sector 12, Indira Nagar with her elder sister’s family.

“The imposter told the girl that his friend, who recently landed in Mumbai was in urgent need of Indian currency. On his request, the girl’s family transferred around ` 3 lakh in a particular bank account,” said a sub-inspector (SI) of Indira Nagar police station.

“The impostor gradually took ` 7 lakh from the family by mentioning different problems,” added the S-I.

The woman realised that she had been duped when he switched off his cell phone and stopped interacting with her for the past three months. She lodged an FIR of impersonation and fraud against him with the Indira Nagar police station on Friday.

According to police, the woman came in contact with the impostor through a matrimonial site in December 2012. She and her family members were impressed with his profile posted on the site. His name was mentioned as Pramod on the site.

He said the impostor had come close to the woman and her kin, so they did not suspect him and kept transferring the money on his request. They, however, smelt a rat when he stopped calling the girl and his mobile was also switched off for the last three months.

The S-I said the local police were taking help of the Cyber Crime Cell to trace the impostor.