Kharghar Senior Loses Rs 4.3 Crore in Elaborate Cyber Fraud
An 80-year-old retired director of an engineering institute in Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme. The gang of fraudsters cheated him of a staggering Rs 4.3 crores. They posed as Nashik police officers, with one even impersonating an Additional Director General of Police from the Anti-Corruption Bureau.
How the Scam Unfolded
The incident began on November 18 last year. The complainant received a call from a person identifying himself as Mohan Kumar Sharma. Sharma claimed he was from the cyber data protection of India. He informed the victim that a criminal case had been registered against him at a Nashik police station.
To make the scam appear more convincing, the fraudsters engaged the victim on WhatsApp voice and video calls. They pretended to be other fake police officers during these communications. The gang used threats of legal action to pressure the elderly man.
The Fake RBI Account and Transfers
The fraudsters provided the victim with a bank account. They claimed this account was specially set up by the Reserve Bank of India for victims of money laundering. They told him to transfer money from his account to this fake RBI account for a verification process.
The gang promised that after the Supreme Court cleared his name in the case, his money would be reverted to his bank account. Believing this story, the victim gradually transferred Rs 4.3 crores between November last year and January 9.
Further Deception and Discovery
Even after the large transfers, the fraudsters repeatedly contacted the victim. They demanded more money transfers to the same fake RBI bank account. On December 9, they sent him a letter supposedly from his bank. This letter stated that his bank account had been frozen.
This letter prompted the victim to contact his bank official. He then learned the truth. His bank account was actually frozen on suspicion by the Nagpur cyber crime branch, not by the fraudsters.
Police Intervention and Complaint
The victim immediately contacted PSI Owandkar of the Nagpur police. He narrated the entire incident, explaining how he was made to transfer money under threats of legal action. PSI Owandkar informed him that he was a victim of cyber fraud. The police officer advised him to lodge a formal police complaint.
An FIR has been registered in connection with this case. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to track down the gang responsible for this elaborate scam targeting a senior citizen.
