Indore, Aug 31 (IANS) Indore Police have launched a probe into a suspected cyber fraud racket allegedly targeting city residents by impersonating employees of Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. Joseph Vijay’s foundation, and offering loans and financial assistance, a police official said on Monday.

The Crime Branch and Cyber Cell have received around half a dozen complaints in which victims were allegedly approached by fraudsters promising business loans, education loans, startup funding and financial assistance for studies abroad.

Additional DCP (Crime), Rajesh Dandotiya, said the police were examining the complaints and trying to ascertain the extent of the fraud and identify other people who may have been targeted by the racket.

“Around six complaints have been received so far in Indore in which people were contacted in the name of Vijay Thalapathy’s foundation and asked to pay money. The Crime Branch is verifying these complaints and also trying to find out whether there are more such victims,” Dandotiya said.

According to police, the fraudsters introduce themselves as employees of the foundation and offer financial assistance under different schemes.

After establishing contact, they allegedly send a registration link to the victims’ mobile phones and subsequently demand money on the pretext of GST, processing fees, registration and other charges.

The victims are allegedly asked to pay amounts ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 60,000, police said.

Dandotiya said the investigation was focussed on identifying the persons behind the calls and tracing the digital and financial trail used in the alleged fraud.

“The callers pose as foundation employees and promise financial assistance, but later demand money as processing or other fees. We are working to identify the accused and establish how this network is operating,” he said.

Indore Police have also shared information about the suspected fraudsters and their network with their counterparts in Tamil Nadu.

Police teams in both states are coordinating as part of the investigation, officials said.

The police have appealed to people not to trust unsolicited calls claiming to be from Vijay or his foundation and advised them against clicking on unknown links or sharing bank account details, passwords or one-time passwords with callers.

Police said anyone who receives such a call or has transferred money in a similar case should immediately report the matter to the cybercrime authorities and their bank.

–IANS

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