77-Year-Old Mumbai Woman Defrauded of ₹3.8 Crore in Sophisticated Digital Scam
A Harrowing Case of Digital Scam in Mumbai: In a shocking case of cybercrime, a 77-year-old woman from south Mumbai was defrauded of ₹3.8 crore by scammers who kept her under “digital arrest” for an entire month. Posing as law enforcement officials, the fraudsters manipulated the elderly homemaker into transferring her life savings, claiming her Aadhaar card was implicated in a money laundering case.
How the Fraud Began
The ordeal began with a WhatsApp call from an unknown individual who accused the victim of sending a suspicious parcel to Taiwan. The caller claimed the package contained illegal items, including MDMA drugs, multiple passports, a bank card, and clothes. Despite her denial, the caller insisted that her Aadhaar card details were linked to the alleged crime.
To further their scheme, the fraudsters connected her to a supposed “Mumbai Police officer” who informed her that she was under investigation for money laundering.
Sophisticated Manipulation via Technology
The woman was coerced into downloading the Skype app, under the pretext that senior police officials would speak to her directly. She was instructed not to disconnect the calls or disclose the situation to anyone.
Over subsequent calls, individuals posing as high-ranking officers demanded her bank account details. A fraudster claiming to be an officer from the finance department convinced her to transfer funds into accounts provided by them, assuring her the money would be returned if no wrongdoing was found.
Gaining Trust Before the Final Blow
In a calculated move to gain her trust, the scammers returned ₹15 lakh from an earlier transfer. This gesture reassured the victim, who then proceeded to transfer ₹3.8 crore from her joint bank accounts in multiple transactions to six different accounts.
The Turning Point
Suspicions arose when the scammers began demanding additional funds in the name of “taxes” to release her money. Realizing she had been duped, the victim reached out to her daughter living abroad, who immediately advised her to contact the authorities.
The woman then dialed the cybercrime helpline, 1930, which led to the freezing of the six bank accounts where the money had been transferred. The Mumbai crime branch has since launched an investigation into the case.
Understanding the ‘Digital Arrest’ Scam
Cybercriminals often use “digital arrest” as a pretext to intimidate victims into compliance. By posing as law enforcement officials, they create an atmosphere of urgency and fear, manipulating victims into providing sensitive information and transferring funds.
In this case, the scammers leveraged technology, such as WhatsApp and Skype, to maintain constant contact and prevent the victim from seeking advice or verifying their claims.
This incident underscores the importance of public awareness about cyber fraud. Senior citizens, in particular, are often targeted due to their limited familiarity with technology.
Key Takeaways for Protection:
- Never share personal or financial details over calls from unknown individuals.
- Verify claims made by alleged officials by contacting local law enforcement or using official helplines.
- Use the cybercrime helpline (1930) for immediate assistance in suspected cases of fraud.
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