Anantapur Constable Loses ₹23.67 Lakh in Sophisticated Social Media Fraud Scheme
A police constable in Anantapur was defrauded of ₹23.67 lakh by an individual who used a fake social media identity to gain his trust. The perpetrator promised repayment through property sales, but investigations revealed the scammer's true identity, leading to a police case.
Highlights
- •A police constable was swindled out of ₹23.67 lakh through a fake Facebook profile.
- •The accused, Talari Venkatesh, posed as a woman named Valmiki Saisree to build trust.
- •The victim transferred funds multiple times and pledged gold jewelry to cover the amounts.
- •Local police have registered a case and are currently searching for the perpetrator.
A police constable stationed in Anantapur has fallen victim to a sophisticated social media fraud, losing a total of ₹23.67 lakh. The incident highlights the growing risks associated with online interactions, as the victim was deceived by an individual masquerading as a woman on Facebook.
According to reports from the Fourth Town Police, the constable, who is attached to the DSP office in Anantapur, accepted a friend request from a profile operating under the name Valmiki Saisree. Over several months, a close online relationship was established through persistent digital chats and phone calls. The perpetrator eventually exploited this trust, requesting substantial financial support under various pretexts, including claims of medical emergencies involving family members.
Deception and Financial Loss in Social Media Fraud
The fraudster further enticed the officer by asserting ownership of a valuable property site in Dharmavaram, promising to repay the borrowed funds following the sale of the land. Driven by these false assurances, the constable transferred approximately ₹23.67 lakh in multiple installments. To secure the necessary funds, the victim even resorted to pledging his wife's gold jewelry.
Suspicions were only raised when the promised repayments failed to occur. Upon conducting a personal investigation, the officer discovered that the individual behind the online persona was not a woman, but a man identified as Talari Venkatesh, a resident of Pothukunta in Dharmavaram town, located within the Sri Sathya Sai district. Local authorities have officially registered a case and are actively working to locate and apprehend the accused.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for individuals to remain vigilant while interacting with unknown entities on social platforms. Authorities consistently warn the public against transferring money to persons met exclusively online, noting that social media fraud often involves elaborate personas designed to manipulate victims into financial transactions. As the investigation continues, police are urging citizens to exercise extreme caution and verify the authenticity of anyone requesting financial assistance through digital channels.
