Bhadrak: A doctor from Dhamnagar Community Health Centre in Odisha’s Bhadrak district fell victim to a cyber scam on Tuesday, losing Rs 75,000 to an online fraudster.
The victim, Srimadhab Sethy, who is posted at Dhamnagar CHC, filed a formal complaint with the Dhamnagar police and cyber police, requesting an investigation into the incident.
Dr. Sethy reported that while attending to patients at the hospital, he received a call from an unknown number. The caller, claiming to know Dr. Sethy, explained that a relative of his was admitted to the hospital but could not transfer funds directly to the patient’s account. The caller informed Dr. Sethy that he had transferred Rs 75,000 to his account and asked the doctor to forward the money to a number provided via a Google Pay screenshot on WhatsApp.
Without verifying the caller’s claim, Dr. Sethy trusted the details and sent the money to the specified number. However, after his shift, he checked his account and realized that the promised Rs 75,000 had never been transferred. Realizing he had fallen victim to a cyber scam, Dr. Sethy reported the matter to both the local and cyber police.
Acknowledging his own lapse in judgment, Dr. Sethy explained, “I became a victim of cyber fraud due to my own negligence. I couldn’t check my account before sending the money due to my busy work schedule. I hope the cyber police will help recover my money and catch the fraudster.”
