A 78-year-old woman from South Mumbai fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam, losing ₹1.5 crore to fraudsters impersonating law enforcement officials.
The ordeal began when the woman sent food to her daughter in the US using a courier service. The next day, she received a call from someone claiming to be from the courier company, accusing her of sending a package containing illegal items, expired passports, Aadhaar cards, credit cards, and USD 2,000 in cash. The caller alleged that she was part of a criminal conspiracy. The scam escalated as multiple individuals impersonating officials from the Cyber Crime Branch, Finance Department, and other government agencies contacted her. Using video calls, fake arrest warrants, and forged investigation reports, they convinced her of their authenticity.
The Financial Loss
Under immense pressure and fearing legal trouble, the woman revealed her personal banking details and transferred ₹1.51 crore to accounts provided by the scammers, believing it was necessary to secure her assets during the "investigation."
Discovery and Action
The fraud came to light only when she discussed the situation with a family member. Realizing she had been duped, she immediately reported the crime to the Cybercrime Police Helpline. The case has now been taken up by the South Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Police.
Expert Warnings
Cybercrime experts have warned the public, especially the elderly, to remain vigilant against such scams. They emphasize verifying the authenticity of callers, avoiding sharing personal information over the phone, and promptly reporting any suspicious activity.
This case highlights the need for increased awareness and caution in dealing with unsolicited calls or claims involving personal or financial information.
Updated on 3rd February, 2025 by MyFortune11 Team.