Mumbai Cyber Scam: 78-Year-Old Lady Loses 1.5 Crore

Mumbai Cyber Scam: Latest Victim 78 Year Old Indian Elderly Lady

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A 78-year-old woman from Mumbai in India, became the victim of a sophisticated cyber scam, losing ₹1.5 crore (or USD 174,000) to fraudsters, who posed as officials from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Delhi Police. The elderly woman, related to a prominent builder in the city, was misled into believing she was under investigation for serious charges, including money laundering and drug-related offenses.

How The Cyber Scam Unfolded

The scam began when the woman sent food to her daughter in the United States through a courier service. The following day, she received a call from someone claiming to be a representative of the courier company. The caller accused her of shipping illegal items, including her Aadhaar card, expired passports, credit cards, and USD 2,000 in cash, as well as illegal substances.

Deceptive Tactics Used in Cyber Scam

The fraudsters continued their deception by posing as various officials from government departments, including the Cyber Crime Branch and the Finance Department. They conducted video calls, dressed in police uniforms, and presented forged documents such as arrest warrants and investigation reports to lend credibility to their claims.

Victim's Response to this Cyber Scam

In a state of panic, the woman was persuaded to share her banking details with the fraudsters, who convinced her that her assets needed to be safeguarded. Over the course of the scam, she transferred Rupees 1.51 crore or USD 174,000 to bank accounts provided by the criminals.

Discovery of Cyber Scam and Reporting

The scam was uncovered when the woman confided in a family member, who encouraged her to report the incident to the Cybercrime Police Helpline. The case was subsequently handed over to the South Cyber Cell of Mumbai Police. The fraudsters had used multiple accounts to move the funds swiftly, making it difficult to trace.

Authorities' Advice to Prevent Such Cyber Scam

Authorities have urged the public, especially elderly individuals, to remain vigilant against such cyber scams. They advise verifying the legitimacy of any claims made by unknown callers and avoiding disclosing personal details over the phone. Also install Anti_Malware Software in all their Computers, Laptops, Phones and Tabs.

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