LUCKNOW: Cyber crime in Lucknow are now tricking innocent people by posing as members of the military, taking their cue from the popular web series "Jamtara."

A scoundrel acting as an army captain conned Krishnanand Gupta, a retired bank manager, out of Rs 1.24 lakhs last week after he placed an advertisement seeking renters for his home.

In another incident, a con artist posing as an army officer defrauded a businessman of Rs 15,000 on Sunday in Lucknow's PGI area. The businessman also posted an advertisement for the sale of his double bed.

According to police data, at least seven incidents involving con artists impersonating members of the army or paramilitary forces have been reported from the city in the past 20 days.

One such complaint is also received everyday by the cyber cell.

Triveni Singh, the SP for the cyber cell, claimed that fraudsters scan adverts to identify their targets before posing as soldiers to win people over.

"When a man identifies himself as being from the military or a paramilitary group, people tend to believe him. The fraudsters provide a fake badge number, battalion name, location of posting, army uniform photo, and identity card in order to appear legitimate "said the SP.

He clarified that con artists target people who post ads for used bikes, cars, gadgets, and everyday items on social media and sale and purchase platforms.

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