Two arrested for defrauding software engineer over customs scam

Police arrested two persons for reportedly defrauding a software engineer and collecting money from him under the pretext of securing the release of dollars that had been seized by customs officials.

Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Superintendent of Police (SP) Dheeraj Kunubilli said that the complainant, Vadluri Mohan Kumar, a native of Pappireddypalle in Madanapalle mandal, who was working as a software engineer in Bengaluru. On March 22, Mr Mohan Kumar received a WhatsApp call from an international number and the caller introduced himself as Edwin, a paediatrician based in Texas, USA.

The caller developed rapport with Mr. Mohan Kumar via WhatsApp and on April 4 claimed that he had arrived at Delhi airport, alleging that customs officials had seized the 2,50,000 US dollars he was carrying. “He enticed the victim by claiming that a clearance fee had to be paid to release the funds and promised to share the dollars in return for the help. Believing his words, Mr. Mohan Kumar transferred ₹21.37 lakh online in multiple instalments between April 4 and April 15 to various bank accounts specified by the accused,” the SP said.

Based on a complaint from the victim, the Madanapalle Taluk police registered a case and investigated it using technical evidence. In a joint operation conducted by Taluk police and the cybercell team, the police arrested prime accused Surajit Chetia and Ahotlian Kaipeng from Assam and Tripura respectively on Tuesday morning near Sri Anjaneya Swamy temple at Thattivaripalle Cross on Madanapalle-Tirupati highway.

Police seized ₹2 lakh in cash, three mobile phones, 57 bank passbooks, 35 ATM cards, and 49 cheque books from the accused, who were currently residing in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, the SP warned people against trusting international WhatsApp calls from strangers or messages promising foreign gifts and dollar payouts. Mr. Dheeraj Kunubilli also appealed to the public to stop sharing bank account details or OTPs.