Fake Ayushman Bharat Scam Costs Local Man ₹31,459

Fraudsters pose as NGO, trick victim with false Russian website claim

Key Points:

• Awadhesh Kumar of Chhota Govindpur loses ₹31,459 to cybercriminals

• Scammers posed as Ayushman Bharat NGO representatives

• Victim paid multiple transactions over three days before realizing fraud

JAMSHEDPUR – A resident of Chhota Govindpur fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam involving the misuse of the Ayushman Bharat scheme name.

The incident occurred between August 18 and 20, 2024.

Awadhesh Kumar, the victim, filed an FIR at Bistupur Cyber Police Station.

On August 18, Kumar received a call from supposed Ayushman Bharat NGO representatives.

The scammers claimed his mobile number was registered on a Russian website.

They further alleged that the number was banned in India.

To resolve this fictitious issue, Kumar was asked to pay ₹350 for a form.

He transferred the amount to an account under the name Govind Yadav.

Subsequently, on August 20, the fraudsters demanded more payments.

They falsely promised that additional money would remove his number from the banned site.

Kumar made multiple transactions, totaling ₹31,459 over the next few days.

"I realized too late that I had been deceived," Kumar stated in his police report.

Authorities are investigating the case and warning citizens about such scams.

In conclusion, this incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber fraud schemes.