In ITR deadline rush, Mumbai fashion designer loses Rs 2.62 lakh to cyber fraud

A 43-year-old Mumbai-based fashion designer allegedly lost Rs 2.62 lakh to a cyber fraudster who posed as a bank employee helping her file income tax return (ITR). The Vile Parle police filed a First Information Report (FIR) on Sunday and began a probe.

The complainant, a resident of Vile Parle, visited her bank’s branch on July 31, which was the last date for filing income tax returns for the financial year 2023-24, to deposit a cheque of Rs 1.16 lakh towards the payment of tax to avoid penalty. However, the payment could not be processed as the bank’s server was down.