Exposing the dark underbelly of online financial traps, a jeweller from Surat was trapped in an instant loan app scam. He was threatened through morphed images, and his family members were also intimidated through constant phone calls demanding the loan money. The case came to light on Sept 30. 

Took a ₹49,000 loan

Two months back, Rajesh* a resident of Kapodra area in Surat, was in need of some money. After doing some internet searches, he landed upon an app called ‘Nasa instant loan app’.

The 38-year-old provided all the necessary details on that application and availed the loan amount of ₹49,000 in three parts.

Threats made via international phone numbers

The jeweller initially didn’t receive any phone calls at least for a month, as per the police reports.

However, on Sept 18, it was his parents who received a phone call from an international number, demanding the loan installment money and hurling abuses for not responding to their calls.

When confronted by his brother, Rajesh denied borrowing any such loans, dismissing the accusations. 

Illicit images sent to relatives

Following this incident, Rajesh’s sister received an image on her WhatsApp from the accused. It had a woman posing naked with her brother’s name, phone number, and address on display, along with a cryptic message.

This photo was also sent to many of their relatives.

Other than that, an image of Rajesh and his wife, morphed in an objectionable manner, was also sent to his brother and other relatives.

It was on Sept 30 that Rajesh’s brother received the morphed image, which prompted him to file a police complaint against unknown people.

Jeweller ran off from his family

Rajesh was constantly contacted by his family, but he had switched off his phone. Pestered, he ran off to an unknown location.

It was only after three days later that his friend revealed his whereabouts to the nearby Kadodara area, where he had run off.

When he was later brought home by his family, he admitted that he had taken the loan.

The case is currently under investigation. 

(* names have been changed to protect identity) 

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