'US woman' claims luggage stuck at Delhi airport, dupes man of Rs 15 lakh

A man from Gorakhpur has alleged that cyber fraudsters cheated him of Rs 15.20 lakh after he became friends on Facebook with a woman who claimed her luggage had been detained at Delhi airport. Police said an FIR has been registered against an unidentified woman and the case is being investigated with the help of the cybercrime cell.Indralal Jaiswal told police he sent money after the woman, who introduced herself as Charlotte Olivia, claimed to be a US resident working in Syria and said she wanted to visit India. He later grew suspicious when the demands for more money continued and realised he had been cheated.According to Jaiswal's complaint, the woman told him that she had reached Delhi airport but that officials had detained her luggage and were demanding money for its release. Believing her claims, Jaiswal transferred Rs 15,20,399 from his SBI account through the bank's app to several bank accounts provided by the woman, the complaint said.After the demands for further payments continued, Jaiswal lodged a complaint on the national cybercrime portal and approached the police. He told investigators that the WhatsApp numbers linked to the woman displayed the names Charlotte Olivia and Sonam Kumari. He has also submitted transaction records and other evidence to the police, officials said. An FIR has been registered against an unidentified woman in the name of Charlotte Olivia. Police officials added that the cybercrime cell is examining the transactions and collecting details of the bank accounts allegedly used in the fraud. - EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 18, 2026 15:36 IST