VISHVENDU JAIPURIAR
Hazaribag, Nov 4: A man was cheated of Rs 15,000 by cyber criminals in Ichak block of Hazaribag district on the pretext of issuance of a Covid certificate.
As per the victim Jeevlal Rana, a resident of Alaunjakhurd village in Ichak block, the frauds told him that the government is issuing the covid certificate to all those who have taken both doses of covid vaccine. The caller asked him for the OTP that came on his mobile and then transferred Rs 15,190 to another account.
In his complaint to the Ichak police today, Rana said he got a call on his mobile on Oct 25. “He told me that covid certificate is now a must for all those who have taken both doses of covid injection. He told me that it is being issued by Government of India,” he said.
Rana told to police that when he took out the details of this transaction, he came to know that the amount went into the account of one Vikram Kumar of neighbouring Daria village. “When I contacted Vikram, he admitted his fault and assured me that he will return the money in a few days. But now he is not returning the amount making me knock the door of the police,” Rana added.
Police officials said they are investigating this case and will do the needful to help the victim.
Notably, the Barkatha block in Hazaribag has turned into Jamtara with many youths involved in cyber fraud. Ichak shares its border with Barkatha. This new case has worried the residents who said this will lure youths into this illegal business for easy and fast money. ‘Police should take action to put a check on such illegal activities,” they said.