Pune: The next time anyone approaches you out of the blue with a tantalising offer, something like a combo deal promising you the latest laptop and an iPhone for just Rs 50,000, be wary of it. You might just end up purchasing a slab of stone and a cake of soap.
On Wednesday, Nisarga Shailesh Joshi, a 22-year-old software engineer working in an MNC, was cheated of Rs 50,000 at the hands of two con artists, who sold him a stone and a soap, stating that these were a laptop and an iPhone. The incident took place around 4 pm in Magarpatta City in Pune.
According to Hadapsar police, the conmen, who appeared to be in their late 20s, approached Joshi and struck a conversation, stating that his facial features resembled one of their friends. Later, they told him that they were in dire need of cash and were ready to sell their laptop and iPhone for just Rs 50,000. Tempted by the offer, Joshi agreed to buy their gadgets. He then went to the nearest ATM centre to withdraw money, where he was accompanied by one of the culprits.
Once the payment was made, the duo handed over a brown-coloured bag to Joshi and left the spot. Minutes after the duo's departure Joshi realised that his cellphone was missing. Suspecting that something was wrong, Joshi broke open the number-locked bag and was dumbstruck to find a slab of stone instead of a laptop.
His woes worsened when he checked the polythene bag that was supposed to have the iPhone instead, he found a cake of soap. Joshi then approached the Hadapsar police and lodged a complaint against the unidentified conmen.
Commenting on the case, investigating officer Sub Inspector Saurabhi Mane, said, "We are trying to scrutinise the CCTV footage recorded inside the ATM, where the suspect had accompanied the victim. We are hopeful that the footage will provide us some vital clues." Sanjay Jadhav, DCP, Zone IV, said, "We are hopeful of nabbing the culprits soon." Asked if it was the handiwork of the same gang, he refused to comment.
Similar cases
Jan 3: Sidhharth Samant was duped by a couple of conmen for Rs 52,000
Nov 1, 2011: Ulhas Joshi was cheated in Gandhinagar area
Oct 29, 2011: Amar Indrajit Sharma was duped for Rs 10,000
Comments
0 comment