Ahmedabad Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 40 Lakh in Elaborate Government Impersonation Scam
In a distressing case from Ahmedabad, a 73-year-old retired woman residing in Ghatlodia has reportedly been swindled out of nearly Rs 40 lakh over a span of four years. The fraud was perpetrated by individuals masquerading as officials from government financial agencies and legal authorities, according to police reports.
How the Scam Unfolded: A Timeline of Deception
The victim filed a formal complaint with the city police on March 10, 2025, after finally uncovering the elaborate deception. The scam traces its origins back to April 2022, when the woman received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Jitendra Goswami. He claimed to be a senior official of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and informed her that Rs 10 lakh from an old LIC investment was pending with a government department. He assured her that the funds could be released after completing certain formalities.
Shortly thereafter, another caller, who introduced herself as Praveena, contacted the woman. She explained that the money could be secured through legal proceedings handled by an advocate named Ladura Munda. Trusting these representations, the victim transferred Rs 2.01 lakh as "legal fees" to a specified bank account in May 2022.
Escalating Demands and False Promises
Investigators revealed that the accused maintained regular contact with the woman, gradually convincing her that the purported payout had escalated to Rs 40 lakh and later to an even higher sum. In July 2022, a man posing as an income tax officer allegedly instructed her to open new bank accounts and send passbooks, ATM cards, and a SIM card to an address in Delhi. Police suspect these accounts were utilized to route illicit funds.
Between 2022 and 2025, the woman made multiple transfers through RTGS, NEFT, and cash deposits from her accounts in State Bank of India, Union Bank of India, and Canara Bank. The fraudsters consistently assured her that the funds, which they claimed had grown to nearly Rs 1 crore within the NPCI system, would be disbursed shortly.
The Final Straw and Police Intervention
In mid-2025, the scam reached a critical point when another individual, claiming to be an NPCI official, demanded Rs 7.44 lakh as tax to release a supposed amount of Rs 1.48 crore. Desperate to recover her money, the woman mortgaged her jewellery and borrowed funds to make this payment.
The fraud finally came to light earlier this month when yet another caller requested additional money. Growing suspicious, the victim contacted the national cybercrime helpline and subsequently filed a police complaint, prompting an ongoing investigation into the matter.
