Senior citizens in Mumbai Duped of ₹1.6 Crore by Fraudsters Posing as Police
Mumbai has witnessed a disturbing rise in cyber fraud cases targeting senior citizens. In two separate incidents, Senior citizens in Mumbai were duped by scammers impersonating police and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officials, resulting in financial losses exceeding ₹1.6 crore.
The 70-Year-Old Victim
Between September 9 and 26, a 70-year-old man received a call from an individual identifying himself as Jaykumar Bansal, purportedly a policeman from the Delhi court. Bansal alleged that 17 cases were registered against the victim’s mobile number for sending harassment messages and pornographic content. Despite the victim’s denial, Bansal insisted that his number had been misused and advised him to contact a CBI cybercrime officer named Rahul Yadav.
Yadav further intimidated the victim by claiming involvement in a ₹2 crore money laundering case linked to a bank account in his name. Under the guise of an investigation, Yadav placed the victim under continuous WhatsApp video surveillance, instructing him to remain under “house arrest” and refrain from communicating with others, threatening legal action for leaking “administrative secrets.”
The fraudsters, including an accomplice named Varun Kumar, sent the victim forged documents bearing fake logos and seals of the CBI, Reserve Bank of India (RBI), and the High Commission of India. They coerced him into transferring ₹43.9 lakh into a so-called “government account” for the duration of the investigation. After receiving a fraudulent “police clearance certificate,” the victim attempted to reclaim his funds but received no response, realizing he had been duped.
80 Year-Old Retiree
In a similar scheme, an 80-year-old retired marine engineer was contacted on September 30 by an individual named Sandeep Rao, who claimed to be the head officer of Bengaluru police. Rao alleged that a bank account in the victim’s name was involved in a ₹2 crore money laundering operation. Through video calls, Rao, dressed in police uniform, instructed the victim to secure his home and warned of an FIR and a CBI investigation.
Despite the victim’s denials, a person impersonating a CBI officer, Akash Kulhari, joined the deception, further pressuring the victim. Fearing legal repercussions, the retiree transferred ₹1.2 crore to accounts specified by the fraudsters. When he later attempted to contact them, he received no response, leading to the realization that he had been scammed.
These incidents highlight the sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals to exploit the fears and vulnerabilities of senior citizens. By impersonating law enforcement officials and fabricating legal threats, they coerce victims into substantial financial losses. Authorities urge the public to exercise caution, verify the identity of individuals claiming to be officials, and report any suspicious activities to the police immediately.
The Mumbai police are actively investigating these cases, aiming to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further occurrences of such fraudulent activities targeting the elderly population.
See Also:
OpenAI Whistleblower, Suchir Balaji, Found Dead in US
How Much Prize Money Did Gukesh Win
86 Indians Killed or Attacked Abroad in 2023
Police Summon Wife of Atul Subhash in Suicide Investigation
——————————————————————————-
It would mean the world to us if you follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. At Newscazt, we strive to bring you the latest news and stories from India, World, Business, Sports, Entertainment and more. Our team of experienced journalists and writers are committed to delivering accurate and unbiased news and analysis.
