Fake PhonePe Payment Used to Cheat Jewellery Shop of Gold Worth Rs 97000
Police have launched an investigation after a suspected fraudster allegedly used a fake PhonePe payment screen to obtain a gold ornament from a jewellery shop without making an actual transaction.
A jewellery shop owner in Julurpad of Bhadradri Kothagudem district reportedly became the victim of a digital payment scam after a customer allegedly used a fake PhonePe application to obtain a gold ornament without transferring any money.
According to preliminary information, the suspect, identified as Rajesh, selected a gold ornament valued at Rs 97000 and claimed to have completed the payment through the PhonePe platform. He then displayed what appeared to be a successful transaction confirmation on his mobile phone.
Trusting the payment confirmation, the shop owner handed over the jewellery. The customer left the premises on a two wheeler shortly afterward.
When the shop owner later verified the bank account, no payment had been credited. It was then discovered that the payment receipt shown on the mobile device was allegedly generated using a fake application and did not represent a genuine transaction.
The entire incident was recorded by CCTV cameras installed inside the jewellery shop. Police have registered a complaint and are reviewing the footage as part of efforts to identify and trace the suspect.
Authorities have advised business owners to confirm that payments are actually credited to their bank accounts before handing over valuable goods, especially during digital transactions.
