RAJKOT: A city-based businessman got back Rs 21 lakh within just a fortnight of falling prey to an online fraud while transacting business with a Chinese company.
Sandeep Sanklecha, who is engaged in international trading of air cooling system spar parts, had been doing business with Chinese firm Zhongshan Silk Import and Export Group based in Guangdong. Through several transactions, he had transferred Rs 21 lakh to the Chinese firm on January 20. However, when he called up the company next day seeking confirmation of the payment, Sanklecha was told that they had not received the money.
Suspecting cyber fraud, Sanklecha immediately approached the Rajkot cyber-crime police station, which found that the Chinese company’s official email id was hacked and an email from a similar id was sent to Sanklecha’s firm asking them to transfer the amount to a new bank account.
This bank account was that of Novo Banco in Portugal’s capital Lisbon.
The cyber-crime sleuths immediately contacted this bank and requested them to stop the payment and refund the amount to the businessman as it was an online fraud.
“On February 5, Sanklecha, who lives in Avanti Park on 150 ft Ring Road, received the full amount in his account. We acted on his information swiftly and detected the online fraud,” police official said.
Police have cautioned businessmen engaged in international trade to be extra vigilant about such frauds and double check the authenticity of the firms. Businessmen have been requested to check through Indian trade portal to verify if the particular firm is engaged in import-export business with India or not.