Scamster promises audition, dupes budding actress of Rs 71,000 in Pune

PUNE: A cyber crook allegedly duped a 20-year-old civil engineering student to the tune of Rs71,849 on the pretext of offering her a role in a Hindi movie between August 12 and 28 this year.
"The woman came across an advertisement circulating on social media stating a film producer and director were looking for an actress for an upcoming Hindi movie. The student called the crook on the cellphone number printed on the advertisement and expressed interest in acting in the film," inspector (crime) Uttam Chakre of the Yerawada police told TOI on Thursday.
Chakre said, "The crook lured the victim from Malshiras district in Solapur residing in Yerawada stating that he would give her a chance to work in the film provided she appeared for an audition test. After the victim agreed to his request, he lured her into paying audition fees of Rs71,849."
He said, "The student transferred varying amounts into the crook's bank account in 10 transactions from her two e-wallets. However, she did not receive any call for an audition. The victim called the crook several times, but he gave her vague and misleading replies."
"The woman grew suspicious that she would not receive any call for any audition after the caller continued to demand more money. The crook switched off the cellphone when the victim demanded a refund. She filed a complaint application with the cybercrime police after realizing she was tricked. A preliminary inquiry was conducted, and an FIR relating to cheating was lodged under sections of the IPC and the Information Technology Act," he added.