Shocking Cyber Fraud Case in South Mumbai

In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 77-year-old woman from South Mumbai was kept under 'digital custody' by conmen posing as law enforcement officials for over a month. Threatened with arrest in a fabricated money laundering case, the scammers duped the woman of ₹3.8 crore, according to the police.

The incident began when the victim, a homemaker residing with her retired husband, received a WhatsApp call. The caller alleged that a parcel supposedly sent by her to Taiwan, containing passports, a bank card, clothing, and MDMA drugs, had been intercepted. Although she denied sending any such parcel, the fraudsters claimed her Aadhaar details were linked to the crime and transferred the call to a fake Mumbai police officer.

The impersonators coerced the woman into downloading Skype for further communication, where she was instructed to remain online 24/7. She was ordered not to disclose the matter to anyone, including her family, and was shown a counterfeit Mumbai Crime Branch notice featuring an official police logo.

Over multiple conversations, the scammers, claiming to be high-ranking IPS officers, manipulated the victim into transferring her life savings into six bank accounts under the guise of 'verifying' the funds. To gain her trust, they even returned ₹15 lakh, claiming it was "clear." Using these tactics, the fraudsters convinced her to drain both her personal and joint bank accounts.

The ordeal ended when the victim grew suspicious after failing to recover her money, despite repeated demands for additional funds under the pretense of taxes. Confiding in her daughter, who resides abroad, she realized she had been conned and reported the crime by calling the 1930 cyber helpline.

Investigators from the Mumbai Cyber Police have frozen the six bank accounts linked to the accused and are actively pursuing leads. A team led by DCP Dutta Nalawade, Senior Inspector Nandkumar Gopale, and Inspector Kiran Jadhav is handling the case.

This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds targeting vulnerable individuals. The police urge the public to remain vigilant and immediately verify the legitimacy of any calls claiming to involve law enforcement or financial matters. For assistance, individuals can report suspected scams to the 1930 cyber helpline or the nearest police station.

This case underscores the importance of awareness in safeguarding against digital threats, especially as cybercriminals continue to exploit technology to deceive their victims.