By Rons Bantwal
Daijiworld Media Network—Mumbai (RD)

Mumbai, Feb 1: A resident of Korgi village in Kundapur who was working in a general store at Sahar, Andheri (East), was cheated by a caller claiming that Praveen had won Rs 25 lac in a lucky draw of Vodafone and Dish Company on Tuesday January 31.

General store assistant Praveen N Shetty on Sunday January 29 received an SMS from an overseas caller with the phone number 00923475254008 stating “Dear customer, your number has win 25,00,000/- Indian Rupees in the lucky draw of Vodafone Company.Congratulations..! This lucky draw is a joint celebration of Vodafone & Dish Company. Call Rajesh.Ballagepuri H/O Mumbai.Bandrarelwe.Stationers India/Computer No/00923475254008. 

The caller followed up with Praveen by speaking in Hindi that the latter had to give his account details in order to deposit Rs 25 lac and created a trust by asking him to call the overseas caller. 

When Praveen called the overseas caller, the latter demanded a deposit of Rs 13,200 as tax on the Rs 25 lac which has to be deposited at the treasury.  Praveen went to Karnataka Bank branch of Ville Parle (East) to transfer Rs 13,500 to Anowar Hussain A/c No 20064980698 vide cheque number 496582 dated January 30, 2012, but the branch officers tried to convince Praveen that he will likely to lose the money in a fraud dealing.  However, Praveen was not convinced and instead went to the State Bank of India branch of Sahar, Andheri (East) and transferred the money.

Praveen received a call from overseas caller that the tax amount has been received, but the caller said that the managing director of his company was demanding Rs 31,000 to sign a cheque of Rs 25 lac and asked him to deposit this at the earliest.  By then Praveen Shetty realized he has been cheated and brought it to the attention of this reporter, with the view of creating general awareness as not to fall victims to such calls.