Accountant Falls Victim to Petrol Pump Dealership Scam in Pune
A 33-year-old accountant from Chakan MIDC, Pune, lost Rs 8.90 lakh to cyber fraudsters who posed as petroleum company officials. The scam involved fake registration, dealership, and licence fees. The victim has filed a complaint with the cyber police.
Cyber FraudPetrol PumpDealership ScamPuneChakan MidcReal Estate PuneSep 28, 2025
The victim learned about a petroleum company's scheme to establish petrol pumps in rural areas with a central government grant. He applied for the dealership in April this year after checking the company's website. A few days later, he received an email from the 'company' stating that his application was approved. The email included a bank account number for the payment of registration charges.
The accountant immediately transferred the initial amount to the provided bank account. He then received a call from a man claiming to be the company's 'sales manager.' The man explained the entire process of the dealership and requested photographs of the land where the petrol pump was to be set up. The victim received a 'Letter of Intent' and was instructed to transfer money for the dealership fees. He complied and was later told to pay the licence fees. In total, the accountant transferred Rs 8.90 lakh to the two bank account numbers provided by the 'company.'
The accountant became suspicious when he was asked to transfer Rs 20 lakh as a deposit for the dealership. He visited the Chakan branch of one of the two banks where he had transferred the money and discovered that the account was a savings account, not a company account. The victim tried to contact the 'company officials' but received no response. He then approached the police and lodged a complaint. Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim's money was transferred to two bank accounts in Bandra, Mumbai. The investigation is ongoing.
This incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud in India, especially in schemes involving large sums of money. Victims are often lured by the promise of lucrative opportunities and are then duped by sophisticated scams. It is crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of such offers and to be cautious when making financial transactions online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main reason the accountant was duped?
The accountant was duped because he trusted the scamsters who posed as senior officials of a petroleum company and followed their instructions to transfer money for registration, dealership, and licence fees.
How did the scamsters contact the victim?
The scamsters first contacted the victim via email, stating that his application for a petrol pump dealership was approved. They later called him, posing as the company's sales manager, to explain the process and request additional payments.
What made the accountant suspicious?
The accountant became suspicious when he was asked to transfer Rs 20 lakh as a deposit for the dealership. He then visited a bank branch and discovered that the account was a savings account, not a company account.
What should individuals do to avoid such scams?
Individuals should verify the authenticity of offers, especially those involving large sums of money. They should also be cautious when making financial transactions online and should double-check the details of the accounts they are transferring money to.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing. Preliminary findings revealed that the victim's money was transferred to two bank accounts in Bandra, Mumbai.
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