Fraud in Name of ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati,’ CBI Files Case

New Delhi: A man claiming to have won crores on the popular TV show Kaun Banega Crorepati (KBC) was scammed out of Rs 3 lakh by a woman who pretended to be a high-ranking Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officer. The fraudster lured the victim into believing he’d won Rs 5.6 crore, using fake IDs and a photo with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make her story convincing.

How the Fraud Unfolded

The scam began when the victim received messages on social media, claiming to be from fake KBC offices in Mumbai and Kolkata. Initially, the victim was informed he had won Rs 25 lakh, which was later increased to Rs 5.6 crore. Another message from a so-called KBC office in Kolkata stated he had won Rs 2.75 crore.

The fraudsters told the victim he only needed to deposit Rs 2.91 lakh to secure his winnings. He complied, believing the authenticity of the claims due to the fake documents and government photos shown by the scammer.

CBI Steps In, Files FIR on PMO Complaint

The victim filed a complaint with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after realizing the fraud. The PMO alerted the CBI, leading to an official First Information Report (FIR) against unknown individuals on charges of forgery, fraud, and violating the Information Technology Act. The FIR revealed the extent of the deception, with fake IDs, fabricated documents, and even forged CBI badges used to build trust with the victim.

Safety Tips Against Similar Scams

This case serves as a reminder to be vigilant about unsolicited prize or lottery offers, particularly when asked for advance payments. The CBI advises people to ignore any demands for fees to claim prize money, especially from unknown contacts on social media. Always verify such claims with official sources before making any payments.