Pune: A 42-year-old employee of a private firm in Talegaon MIDC lost Rs 19 lakh between March and Sept to cybercrooks after the latter promised a 60% commission in supply of oil to a 'UK-based leather company'. The victim had filed a complaint with the cybercrime cell of the Pimpri Chinchwad police. After verifying the complaint, the matter was referred to the Shirgaon police station and a formal FIR was registered on Monday.
An officer from the Shirgaon police said the victim was drawn in by an email that offered a 60% commission to agents procuring oil from vendors in India and later supplying it to the 'UK-based leather company'. "He contacted the number mentioned in the message to learn more about the offer. The person at the other end convinced him to get into a deal," the officer said.
The crooks also connected the victim to a person impersonating a consultant of the UK-based leather company. "The consultant also assured the victim of a good profit in a business with the company," he said. The officer said the crooks shared the details of the vendor of raw oil in India and instructed the victim to procure oil from this particular vendor and supply to the company.
"They shared bank account numbers of the 'vendor' for transferring money to purchase the oil," the officer said. The investigating officer said believing them the victim went on transferring the money as and when told. "Between March and Sept, he transferred Rs19 lakh in phases, but did not receive oil.
The vic.