Ahmedabad Senior Citizen Loses Life Savings in Sophisticated Cyber Fraud
In a distressing incident from Ahmedabad, an 80-year-old retired government servant has been defrauded of his entire life savings, amounting to Rs 17 lakh, after falling victim to a cunning online scam. The fraud occurred within a mere 30 seconds of him unwittingly disclosing his banking details to criminals impersonating bank officials.
Targeted Through Fake Facebook Page
The victim, a former employee of the state irrigation department who resides alone in the Narayannagar area of Paldi, reported the crime to cybercrime police on Monday. According to his statement, the scammers targeted him using a deceptive Facebook page that closely mimicked the official page of the Bank of India.
On November 24, 2025, the senior citizen encountered a post on this fake page claiming that pensioners could submit their life certificates online without needing to visit a bank branch. Trusting the legitimacy of the post, he clicked on a "Get in touch" button and provided his mobile number.
Elaborate Deception Unfolds
Shortly after, the complainant received a phone call from an individual who falsely identified himself as a bank representative. The caller offered assistance with the online submission of the life certificate, gaining the victim's confidence through persuasive dialogue.
During the conversation, the fraudster requested sensitive banking information, including the customer ID, debit card number, and PIN. Believing the caller to be genuine, the elderly man disclosed these critical details, unaware of the impending financial disaster.
Funds Siphoned Off Rapidly
The deception continued with multiple WhatsApp video calls from another number that displayed the bank's logo as its profile picture. Over an hour of conversation, the scammer reassured the victim that his life certificate would be updated within 24 to 48 hours.
However, by the evening, the situation took a drastic turn. The complainant began receiving a flurry of SMS alerts notifying him of numerous fund transfers from his savings account. Before he could comprehend the situation or take any action, a total of Rs 17,03,600 had been illicitly transferred out through a series of rapid transactions into various bank accounts.
Immediate Response and Investigation
Upon realizing the fraud, the victim promptly contacted the bank's customer care service and informed the branch manager. He also registered a complaint on the national cybercrime helpline, 1930, and filed a formal police report.
Police authorities have confirmed that the fraudsters accessed his account using the shared details and executed the fund transfers within seconds. An active investigation is now underway to trace the beneficiary accounts and identify the IP addresses associated with the fraudulent Facebook page.
This case highlights the escalating threat of cyber fraud targeting vulnerable populations, particularly senior citizens, and underscores the critical need for heightened awareness and vigilance in online interactions.
