UDUPI: A temple priest from Uppunda has reportedly lost about Rs 6.16 lakh in an online fraud after clicking on a link claiming to be from the National Stock Exchange. The complainant, stated that on May 6, he received a link on his mobile number in the name of NSE (National Stock Exchange). Upon opening the link, it appeared to be about a hotel, asking him to give a rating. It also mentioned 20 daily tasks, and after completing four tasks, he was asked to send money to a QR code provided.Accordingly, from the bank account of the complainant’s wife, he allegedly transferred Rs 64,000 on Aug 30 and went on to transfer about Rs 1.44 lakh to a QR code in the next two days. Later, he was allegedly told that his task points reached 90%, and once it reached 100%, the money would be refunded. Believing this, the complainant transferred Rs 2.72 lakh on Sept 2.After this, the accused claimed that the complainant’s account was “frozen” and that sending more money would “unfreeze” it. Trusting this, on Sept 2, he further allegedly sent Rs 1.45 lakh and again Rs 55,000. He claimed that the accused cheated him of Rs 6.16 lakh. The Byndoor Police Station registered a case under Sections 318(2), 318(4) of BNS, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.
