A major fraud came to light that raises concerns for shop owners who accept payments using QR codes when this Kochi pizzeria owner was duped at nearly ₹18 lakhs. Here’s what actually happened and why we need to be careful when paying through QR codes.
Kochi Pizzeria Owner Duped By Manager, Loses Nearly ₹18 Lakhs.
It has been reported that the manager of a pizzeria in the city of Kochi, Kerala, allegedly deceived the owner by substituting the shop’s Google Pay QR code with his personal QR code for a duration of approximately eight months last year. The estimated loss incurred by the owner amounts to nearly ₹18 lakhs.
According to a senior officer at the Palarivattom police station, where a case has been registered, this incident is believed to be the first of its kind to be reported in the country.
Following the discovery of the fraud, the manager, identified as Jithu Das V P, a native of Malappuram, was dismissed from his position as per the complaint filed.
The case, initially presented before the shop owner’s First Class Judicial Magistrate, was subsequently forwarded to the Palarivattom police after the court instructed them to initiate an FIR (First Information Report).
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Full Extent Of Scam To Unfold Only After Extensive Investigation
As per reports by The New Indian Express, what adds intrigue to this case is the discovery that the accused took deliberate steps to cover up the fraud. The complaint reveals that Jithu Das deliberately deleted or cancelled the bill details entered into the accounting software, presumably in an attempt to evade detection.
This fraudulent activity started raising suspicions among the restaurant staff when they noticed a significant rise in the number of cancelled transactions. Curiously, despite the bills being cancelled, the corresponding transactions were still successful, leaving the staff perplexed and further fueling their doubts about the integrity of the system.
The police authorities have emphasized that a comprehensive investigation is necessary to uncover the full extent of the fraudulent activities.
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Given the nature of the crime involving financial deceit, it is imperative to thoroughly examine the bank transaction records of the accused. Additionally, verifying the cancelled transactions from the restaurant will also be crucial in establishing the connections and evidence against the accused.
The Senior House Officer (SHO) of Palarivattom Police Station stated that once the investigations can establish a clear link between the accused and the fraudulent activities, appropriate measures, including making an arrest, will be taken.
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