Malappuram: The Malappuram police have warned the people against a new kind of online fraud by foreign nationals who trick those trying to sell electronic gadgets. The warning came in the wake of the arrest of a Nigerian national from Bangalore by Malappuram police two days ago. Bello Pamilerin Deborah, 23, had tricked a Malappuram resident by posing as a potential buyer of an electronic device which he had put up for sale through a website in January.
The accused convinced the seller that she was from the US and asked him to courier the device promising payment once it was received. The accused also took around Rs1 lakh from the victim in the name of international transfer charges. The investigation team led by Malappuram SI B.S. Binu traced the scamster in Bangalore after a month-long investigation. She was produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court in Malappuram on Wednesday and lodged in Manjeri jail.
According to the police, the new fraud is committed through online selling and buying platforms. They contacts the sellers using fake profiles and WhatsApp numbers. After creating a rapport with the sellers, they will convince them to pay various charges in the name of facilitating international money transfers, the police said.
