A Class 8 student named Gokul from Gudiyatham in Vellore district fell victim to a WhatsApp cyber scam, losing Rs 45,000 after being duped by fraudsters posing as international senders. The boy reportedly received a message claiming he had received USD 70,000 from abroad and was asked to pay Rs 45,000 as customs clearance charges to release the money. Believing the message, he transferred the amount in three transactions — Rs 5,000, Rs 15,000, and Rs 25,000 — through Google Pay using his sister’s account.
After the payment, the scammers blocked his number, making further contact impossible. When the student realized he had been cheated, he informed his sister, who approached the Gudiyatham Police Station. She was then directed to the Cyber Crime Wing at the Vellore District Superintendent of Police Office, where a formal complaint was lodged. The police have launched an investigation and urged citizens to be vigilant against such scams that promise foreign money, prizes, or job offers.
Officials reminded the public that legitimate authorities never request payments through messaging platforms and advised victims to immediately report frauds via the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 or the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
