Mumbai: An 85-year-old retired resident of Ghatkopar has lost Rs 1.1 crore of his life savings to fraudsters who impersonated police officers and placed him under 'digital arrest' for over two weeks in a fake money laundering case.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered on Thursday evening at the Cyber Police Station, East Division, the ordeal began on April 5 when the elderly victim received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Inspector Ranjit Kumar from Mumbai Police headquarters. The caller claimed that the victim's Aadhaar card details were being used in a money laundering case registered at the Lucknow Police headquarters.
To lend credibility to their scheme, two other men in police uniform made video calls to the victim, which convinced him of their legitimacy. The fraudsters further shared fake documents bearing the names of the Supreme Court of India and the Reserve Bank of India. They instructed the 85-year-old to transfer funds to prove his innocence and allegedly threatened him with death if he failed to comply.
Funds Transferred Under Duress
Under immense pressure, the victim transferred Rs 60 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 25 lakh to three different bank accounts over the next three days. It was only after speaking with his daughter that he realized he had been duped. The daughter then approached the Cyber Police Station, leading to the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita and the Information Technology Act for cheating and impersonation.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant against such scams and to verify any claims made by unknown callers, especially those demanding money or personal information. The investigation is ongoing.
