Vadodara Trader Scammed by Fake Military Hospital Payment Scheme

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A Vadodara-based medical equipment supplier lost ₹3.13 lakh after scammers fabricated a purchase order and impersonated a military hospital accountant.

The Scam Unveiled

The fraud involved scammers impersonating a military hospital accountant to trick a trader into making payments for vendor registration before delivery. The deception was uncovered when an employee attempted to deliver the items and was informed by hospital staff that no such transaction had occurred.

Initial Contact and Fabricated Purchase Order

The scam commenced on August 26 when an individual claiming to be Krunal Chaudhary, a store manager at an Ahmedabad hospital, contacted the trader. This person requested pricing details for patient warming units and trolleys, then placed an order for three of each item. A fabricated purchase order, allegedly issued under the hospital’s name, was provided to the trader.

Second Fraudster and Payment Demands

On September 3, another individual identified as Kuldeep Singh, purportedly an accountant at the military hospital, reached out to the trader. This second fraudster claimed that payment for the purchase order could only be released after completing a vendor registration process. The caller asserted that failure to process the registration via the trader’s bank account would delay the transaction.

Test Transaction and Larger Transfers

The trader allegedly transferred a total of ₹3,13,004 under the guise of fulfilling registration and payment requirements. The scam involved a ₹5 test transaction followed by a series of larger transfers. At the time, she believed these steps were necessary to secure the hospital’s payment.

Exposure of the Fraud

The fraud was exposed when an employee of the trader’s company arrived at the Ahmedabad military hospital to deliver the equipment. Hospital officials confirmed that no purchase order had been issued, prompting the trader to realize she had been deceived.

Investigation and Cybersecurity Warnings

Vadodara Cyber Crime Police are investigating the case, focusing on tracing the digital footprint of the perpetrators. Authorities are examining the mobile numbers and online platforms used to contact the trader, as well as the financial transactions involving the stolen funds. The investigation aims to determine whether the money was transferred to multiple accounts or moved through other channels.

Cybersecurity experts advise businesses to independently verify any orders from official entities through verified contact channels. They also caution against complying with instructions from unidentified individuals to conduct test transactions or transfer funds for registration purposes.

Broader Implications and Vigilance

This incident highlights a recurring tactic where cybercriminals exploit the credibility of government and military institutions. Scammers often initiate contact with fake purchase orders or business proposals, then demand payments for registration, processing, or other formalities. Vadodara Cyber Crime Police continue to investigate, seeking to identify the suspects and assess whether similar methods were used to target other businesses.

The case underscores the importance of heightened vigilance against phishing attempts and the need for robust verification protocols when dealing with high-value transactions.