Delhi-based fashion photographer swindled by Orkut pal promising a job abroad
Delhi-based fashion photographer swindled by Orkut pal promising a job abroad
Social networking is a trendy way of making new friends, a good stress-buster, and an avenue to share your life with others. All this practically for free, except the occasional payoff as 25-year-old Lalit Tyagi discovered.
The Mehrauli-based fashion photographer was allegedly duped off Rs 2.5 lakh by an Orkut friend in the name of getting him a job abroad.u00a0 
The con is on: A file picture of Vipul Tyagi, the alleged scamster.
In January last year, Lalit came into contact with Vipul Tyagi, an importer-exporter purportedly doing business with the Russian federation, on Orkut. After being in touch for about six months, Vipul offered Lalit a job in Russia. "Vipul told me that he had good contacts in the Russian embassy and could get me a job there.
So I paid his mother Rs 36,400 for my airfare and visa at their residence in Indirapuram. After a few days I got a call from Vipul saying that my visa had got cancelled, so instead of going to Russia I could go to Bangkok where I would be able earn a lot of money with some part-time work and continue with my photography," said Lalit.
Lalit claims he met Vipul for the first time on June 12,u00a0 2009 in Bangkok. "We put up at the Watergate Hotel. Immediately after reaching there, Vipul took about 19,000 Baht (about Rs 26,600) from me."
Lalit was on a 15-day tourist visa. Within a few days Vipul suddenly disappeared after taking all the cash. Vipul was left stranded, with no help in sight. "He also took my professional camera worth Rs 1,10,000 and a laptop worth Rs 50,000. I was left with no option and no money; even my visa expired. I had to seek my family's and the Indian embassy's help. After 40 days and paying a Rs 85,000 hotel bill, I returned to India," said Lalit.
"I tried to contact the police but without much success. Besides no one was prepared to listen to my plea. Finally, I tried to fix an appointment with the IG Meerut range. I called his office expecting his secretary to pick up but the IG received the call himself. I panicked and gave my name as Manish Mishra but he took me for BSP leader Satish Mishra. I immediately disconnected the phone but the police traced my call and booked me in a case of impersonation," Lalit added.
On May 9, Lalit got a call from the Ghaziabad police who had traced his number. Lalit discussed his issue with them and told them about the case. After listening to his story, the SSP Ghaziabad let him go after a warning. But it also turned out to be a blessing in disguise as the police registered a case based on Lalit's complaint.
"We have filed a case and are looking for Vipul who is untraceable. We are also examining the documents furnished by Lalit. Besides, we have been verifying the mail and chat records between Lalit and Vipul," said a senior police official.
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