Chennai: Police have apprehended a Bengaluru-based call centre employee for allegedly masterminding an elaborate online scam, defrauding an IT professional of Rs 14 lakh through the OLX platform. The accused, identified as Rajesh, was arrested by the Tambaram Cyber Crime Police following a complaint lodged in December 2025 by the victim, Sathish, 32.
The incident unfolded when an OLX user named Bharath listed his two-year-old car for sale. Simultaneously, Sathish was actively searching for a used vehicle on the same online marketplace. Rajesh, posing as a mutually acquainted middleman, contacted both Bharath and Sathish independently. He misled Bharath by suggesting a buyer was willing to pay Rs 24 lakh, significantly above the car’s market value of approximately Rs 18 lakh. To Sathish, Rajesh pitched the same car at a heavily discounted price of Rs 14 lakh.
Convinced by the offer and after inspecting the vehicle via a video call, Sathish transferred Rs 14.5 lakh to Rajesh. The scam came to light only when Sathish met with Bharath at Sathish’s residence to finalize the transaction. At this meeting, both individuals realised they had been duped by a middleman who had absconded with the money.
Authorities were able to trace Rajesh’s whereabouts through meticulous analysis of bank transaction data and telecom records. During interrogation, Rajesh provided a statement claiming that a friend had asked to use his bank account to receive funds intended for a relative’s wedding. The mobile phone seized from the accused was found to have been previously owned by an individual currently incarcerated in the Virudhunagar sub-jail, while the SIM card used was procured separately.
Police suspect that Rajesh may not have acted alone and are actively investigating to uncover the broader network behind this sophisticated fraud. Rajesh has been remanded to judicial custody, and authorities are working to identify other potential accomplices. This case highlights the persistent risks associated with online transactions, particularly for high-value items like vehicles, where verification of sellers and intermediaries is paramount.
The investigation into Rajesh’s associates and the full extent of the scam is ongoing. The Tambaram Cyber Crime Wing is working to gather further evidence and apprehend any other individuals involved in the operation. The case underscores the need for increased vigilance among users of online classified platforms to prevent such fraudulent activities.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
