India, June 8 -- Petrol bunk staff helps strangers claiming family emergency; lands in trouble

A new form of cyber fraud has surfaced in Mysuru city, with fraudsters exploiting people's sympathy by fabricating family emergencies and persuading unsuspecting strangers to exchange cash for UPI transfers.

Victims who agree to help often find themselves facing an unexpected ordeal, as the money credited to their accounts is linked to cybercrime cases registered in other States.

In some instances, their bank accounts have been subjected to lien markings (temporarily frozen or blocked) by investigating agencies.

The modus operandi is simple. Fraudsters approach members of the public claiming that a parent is seriously ill, has met with an ac...