Pune: Woman tries to book ₹400 birthday cake online, duped of ₹1.67 lakh

Ordering a birthday cake ended up becoming a costly affair for a woman from Pune who fell prey to a phishing scam. The woman was duped of ₹1.67 lakh while trying to place an online order for a birthday cake worth ₹400. A cyber-fraudster impersonated the bakery’s employee and tricked the victim into sending the huge amount, said officials.

According to the Bhosari MIDC police, the woman is a resident of Moshi. On March 4, the woman browsed the internet and found the number of a cake shop, where she placed an order. A man who pretended to be the shop’s employee called her and shared bank details to make payment of ₹400. The woman faced payment issue and hence the man shared a QR code. As soon as the woman scanned the code ₹2,000 was deducted. The man assured her that he will refund the difference amount.

Investigation officer S Patil said, “The woman received only ₹10 as refund and immediately in six online transactions, she lost ₹1.67 lakh.”