Mumbai UPI Fraud: Pair Deceptively Claims Payment, Flees with Precious Gold Chain

Mumbai: On Tuesday evening, a bold robbery unfolded at a Ghatkopar jewelry store, orchestrated by two young men who successfully made off with a gold chain by feigning a failed UPI payment. Initially deceived, the shopkeeper, upon realizing the absence of the transferred money, attempted to pursue the culprits, but they quickly fled on their motorcycle.

Clever Criminals: Entering the store, the duo appeared to have an interest in purchasing a gold chain. One of them tested the chain and indicated a desire to buy it. The store owner then prepared the receipt and provided the UPI scanner for payment.

Connection Glitch: Alleging a network problem, one of the individuals stepped outside with his phone, purportedly to facilitate the money transfer. The shop owner, recalling the incident in the FIR, stated, “He took my phone number and assured me of making the payment.

Deceptive Message: Shortly thereafter, the store owner received a text message from an unfamiliar mobile number confirming a payment of Rs 24,500, precisely the amount for the chain. The shopkeeper, without realizing it was not a valid bank notification, returned and showed me the message.

Nabbed in the Act: Assured of receiving payment, the store owner was on the verge of handing over the chain when he discovered that the money had not been credited to his bank account. Upon interrogating the individuals, they hastily fled the shop, taking the chain with them.

Unsuccessful Pursuit: The individual made an effort to pursue the young men, who swiftly vanished on their bicycle. A police officer reported, “We possess CCTV footage capturing their departure.” A formal complaint has been registered at the Ghatkopar police station.

Holiday Deception: This occurrence serves as a clear reminder of the importance of staying vigilant during the holiday season, a time when scams and fraudulent schemes tend to be more widespread. Both retailers and customers should exercise caution when dealing with potentially dubious transactions and ensure careful verification of all payments before exchanging valuable items.

Stay Alert, Stay Safe: This case highlights the importance of:

• Verifying bank notifications.
• Always check if a payment confirmation comes directly from your bank, not an unknown number.
• Not handing over valuables until payment is confirmed.
• Don’t rely solely on messages or verbal claims of payment.
• Reporting suspicious activity immediately
• Inform the authorities promptly in case of any fraudulent attempt.
• By remaining vigilant and adopting safe practices, we can deter such crimes and ensure a secure and joyful festive season.