Scammed By Shadows

Scammed By ShadowsChapter I: Introduction

How could that happen?

She was bewildered to find...

Being an army officer, she needed somebody to hold her up.

Going through a startling piece of news about someone who is near your heart is not easy!

Sreshtha Mahajan, a leading air force pilot. Having tons of dreams and hopes to achieve all of them. She had been dying to spend this year's short-lived holidays with an essence of love and beatitude. In her life, this was one of the few things she could do with her folks...

Her expectations were up to the mark as for Ooty, The picturesque hills and the tranquil environment offered a perfect escape from her high-pressure job. She smiled gazing at the scenery which lay before her, but beneath that smile rested a feeling that was one of its kind but was still synonymous with negative amusement...

Discovering a case has made her restless and dumbstruck.

She was still trying her best to let bliss never leave her, at least for the time being.

These series of thoughts were somehow a prelude to the crisis of her life. Because destiny had designed other plans for the day…

Her day broke into pieces, as her ecstasy took a dramatic makeover into a curse of fate.

She wished that this was just a nightmare but her mind couldn't escape the grip of reality…

But soon this terror led to something more massive! Her hands took the form of fists, sweat emerged from her head…

What could be the source of her aggression?

What got into her skin and shook her to the core?

Chapter II: Opening Up The Top Layer

Curiosity must have filled your organs till now!

A notification that transformed the scenario drastically…

She received a message from her retired trainer asking something which gave her a shock from her head to her toes…

Purna Bhardwaj 

Message 1: Need 70 lakhs urgently. Please send or you'll see me dead, Sreshtha.

Message 2: I am kidnapped…

But why was she kidnapped?

After embracing the role of an army officer, she knew that not all glitters are gold.

Purna and Sreshtha hadn't met for 3-4 years...

She closed her eyes, recalling Purna's voice and realizing this wasn't how Purna used to talk. After all, she had spent almost 3 years with her trainer!

She sensed something fishy, but had no evidence; it could feel quite insensitive of her for not sending the sum of money…

On top of that, her character clearly demonstrated that she was not going to pause there...

She had committed to dedicate herself to this case as a personal mission to rescue Purna...

It happens that just before Sreshtha was about to go in her series of mindful reflections another pop-up notification halted her trail of endless assumptions and apprehensions.

A news article written by a trusted journalist, made her head stumble!

He alerted people about the new scam that had hit the plebeians, this fraud was being conducted by a foreign organization named Dark Syndicate International!

After reading this, she found herself being sucked into a hurricane of scamming!

But now, she started to take this case seriously, this was the last straw. Now, she could not hold her temper…

Her assumption wasn't that wrong after all.

She had to act slyly now! Her awareness was the sole thing that could save her.

Sreshtha Mahajan

Reply 1: Don't worry Ma'am, I will send help to you soon. My bank balance is currently low, would definitely send aid...

"This work needs some expert investigation", these words unconsciously oozed out of her mouth…

But since, this incident she started to become more alert…

Chapter III: Penetrating for Clues

She surely required somebody to assist her!

After all, this was about her cherished trainer...

She was sitting on her bed and her lap was the permanent resting place for her laptop.

Doubt and fear were constant companions, but she knew she had to stay focused. The lives of those she cared about depended on her!

As her cousin, walked in her room breaking her concentration mercilessly, she had a brilliant intellection!

After all, a hysterical cousin was of some use, still, overthinking never has its boundaries, she was concerned about his safety!

Arjun Mehta, a young psychologist, proved that experience is no obstacle when passion drives you forward!

He was tall and lean with sharp, attentive eyes, and exuded calm intelligence. Dressed in a crisp shirt and dark jeans, he carried a leather-bound notebook, hinting at his profession as a dedicated psychologist.

Arjun's analytical mind complemented Sreshtha's strategic thinking. Their discussions were intense, often leading to heated debates, but they knew they had to rely on each other to solve this case.

Though he had graduated just a year ago, he could open a new thinking perspective for Sreshtha...

So, the folks began their study and came up with different terminologies...

After hours of hard work and toiling they reached a conclusion, post-researching they found out about Purna's Neighbor, Mahesh Patnayak.

He must have been a kind and giving neighbor, as Sreshtha had heard from Purna.

He had been mercilessly murdered!

Shockingly, Mahesh's dead body couldn't be recovered by their folks even...

This evidence pointed to a complex scheme orchestrated by the murderers. Their operations were shrouded in secrecy, making it difficult to trace their movements.

Late nights and endless cups of coffee became their routine as they sifted through data, cross-referencing every piece of information they could find on the abduction of Purna!

They pursued each other to connect the dots and draw a conclusion as well as draft a plan for rescuing the trainer.

Soon, Sreshtha and Arjun were terribly exhausted but their minds weren't!

This Research Expedition was on the brink of driving them crazy...

But out of all sorts of perplexedness, they both assumed that the assassins could have kidnapped Purna!

They still needed a couple of more intimation...

Chapter IV: Deciphering the Truth

Sreshtha was sitting on her Sofa, recollecting her thoughts about this Scam and Arjun enthusiastically joined her...

He unknowingly switched on the TV and intended to watch some news.

But their jaws dropped after watching the headlines!

Sreshtha's trusted journalist was killed!

Many people were saying that the murderers were from the Dark Syndicate International!

The news of the journalist's murder sent a shockwave through Sreshtha; the game had turned deadly serious.

But Arjun and Sreshtha knew the story at once. Did You?

Both knew that this was not their victory, they had to rescue Purna!

But another message made them revise their thoughts...

Purna Bhardwaj

Message 3: We are from the Dark Syndicate International... Either give 70 Lakhs or see Purna die!

Message 4: We'll send the address, come and give the Ransom.

This sentence truly sheds light on their plan, leaving no room for doubts!

Time was ticking, they had to be quick!

Every detail of the rescue mission was meticulously planned. Sreshtha and Arjun mapped out their strategy, coordinating with the police to ensure every angle was covered.

Chapter V: The Rescue Mission

The next morning, Purna looked at her Plan Chart which was the outcome of their sedulous research and work, accompanied by waves of emotional imbalances...

After grabbing all the courage she had built up by solidifying her boiling-hot rage!

Sreshtha grabbed her gun and ID, rushing into the police station with a determined stride, ready for swift action.

She approached the police inspector, Kekayi Ramakrishanan, and urged her to take immediate action. She was no less than a savior, as a passionate civil servant, she knew how to bring out the best in dealing with criminals.

Arjun whispered their plan to her and thus began the thrilling rescue mission. They carefully planned an ambush, with the police forces surrounding the territory. The tension was palpable as they closed in on the two murderers whom people call Abhyuday and Satya Raj, and soon it became clear that their game was over.

In the face of danger, Kekayi and Sreshtha bravely stood up to the criminals, buying precious time for Arjun to make a daring escape with Purna, ensuring their safety.

Chapter VI: Safe at Last

Purna was now safe, she had been indebted to Arjun and Sreshtha...

She breathed in clean air after a long period!

After days, Sreshtha intended to get an undisturbed night's sleep.

Arjun was proud of his cousin, he had till now just heard brave stories of her sister confronting fatal criminals and leading several deadly ambushes!

Kekayi was already surrounded by impatient reporters and an amused public.

At last, The Dark Syndicate Scam had been tackled.

Still thinking?

Purna was kidnapped by Abhyuday and Satya Raj because she had asked the same journalist to expose the Dark Syndicate International. As a result, the journalist was killed, and Mahesh also died while trying to prevent the murders and Purna's abduction.

The intense standoff and the teamwork involved in taking down the criminals called for every ounce of their bravery and tactical skills.

It was a heart-racing and dramatic sequence of events, underscoring the dedication and courage of these individuals in the face of danger.

Purna's eyes revealed her tough times with those criminals...

But from her heart, streams of motherly love and gratefulness were flowing for Sreshtha and Arjun...

As a token of achievement and dedication for both of them, she gifted them hand-made bracelets which were contemporary to her handwritten note for them...

This happy ending also marked the arrival of the season of Sreshtha's meticulous work and occupancy; she travelled back to her base camp with a smile and an incident to share with her colleagues!