Online fraud

Completely agree with the post from Karthik Rajendran. Karthik, your post was actually an eye-opener for me and prevented me from innocently stepping into their trap. God Bless you! There are crooks all around, readily waiting to pounce upon unwary people. We really have to be extra cautious to keep these conmen at bay.

On 6^th Feb, 2018, I had intended to purchase a Bitcoin Miner machine (Model: Antminer S9) and had contacted IndiaMart.com regarding the same. They rapidly sent across the contact details of a few suppliers of the product. Simultaneously, I started receiving mails & WhatsApp messages from a few of the suppliers. Amongst them was one Mr. GOUD DESAM from Guaranty E Limited company, based out of Punjab. While I was liaising with several suppliers, basis the low quote, I decided to proceed with further discussions with Goud Desam on 8860180299. Although it was an Indian mobile number, voice calls were not successful. Only WhatsApp messages and calls were allowed. This itself should have rang the bell in me. Technically, once a SIM card is configured with a handset and WhatsApp is downloaded on it, the mobile number remains forever as the WhatsApp no. of the handset, irrespective of what SIM Card/Mobile no. you are using on that handset, afterwards. This will only get overwritten if the WhatsApp application is re-downloaded with another mobile number (SIM Card) for the same handset.

Nevertheless, while speaking with the so-called Mr. Goud Desam, I had a hunch that he is a foreigner (presumably African, which I gauged from his accent). But, he convincingly went on stating that he is from Kerala and that he has a different accent because he completed his college from London, etc. etc. Then he asked me to share my details, regarding address, email id, phone no., etc. for preparing the invoice and that the modes of payment would only be Bank transfer/Bitcoin wallet transfer. Then he asked me to deposit the money in the Account of Lalram Zauvi; A/c No. 1111910080; IFSC Code: KKBK0000561; Kotak Mahindra Bank; Madhapur Branch and said that FedEx tracking no. would be provided to me for me to monitor the product movement. This raised a slight doubt in me because why was I asked to pay to anybody’s personal account. So, I called him and he said that the company’s account is being changed and that Lalram Zauvi is the accountant of Guaranty E Limited, where the money is safe to be transferred. Suddenly, after 10 mins, he sent me another set of bank details. This time Account name is Sunil B.; A/c No. 918010006109289; IFSC Code: UTIB0003569; Axis Bank; Ramamurthy Nagar Branch. His submission was that his manager had instructed him to share the latter detail, so that he could monitor the order himself. This inculcated serious doubt in my mind, for which I then proposed COD (Cash on Delivery). Mr. Goud Desam then became jittery and said that it was not possible. On me insisting, he somehow kept pushing for a 50% advance payment, citing logistics expenses.

Long story short, I did not proceed with him further. Had I, any amount of money I would have paid, would have gone to the dogs. However, serious doubts arise for Indiamart.com as well. What sort of background checks do they conduct before enlisting a merchant? Their credibility seriously stands at stake, if these are the types of fraudulent entities they nurture. A few other numbers (received from Indiamart again), who only entertain WhatsApp calls are +1-587-316-2808, +1-786-505-9519 and 9987800306. Now, you know what you are supposed to understand.

Friends, be very careful about such impostors, looming all around us. Another pointer you might observe, is the gross incorrectness in the English language they use.

Be very careful! Stay Safe & Happy.