A 69-year-old retired man from Pune has been defrauded of a staggering Rs 1.07 crore in a highly sophisticated cybercrime where fraudsters posed as senior officials from the Mumbai Police's Crime Branch. The elaborate scam, which unfolded over a period of nearly two weeks, involved threats of arrest in a fabricated money laundering and terror funding case.
The Elaborate Impersonation and Threats
The incident began on November 26 when the victim, a retiree from a private engineering company, received a call from individuals claiming to be police officers investigating a terror funding case. The cybercrooks alleged that the senior citizen's bank account had been misused by suspects to illegally purchase firearms used in terrorist activities. They further claimed his account was involved in money laundering related to these weapons.
To make their story credible, the suspects made several video calls to the victim on a messaging application. During these calls, they were seen wearing police uniforms with a background designed to resemble a police station. Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde of the Pune Cyber Police stated that the fraudsters persistently threatened the man with arrest, warning that it would bring humiliation to his family.
How the Scam Was Executed
The fraudsters offered the victim a way out, promising not to arrest him and to provide a No Objection Certificate (NOC) if he settled the matter by transferring money to them. Under immense psychological pressure and fearing for his family's reputation, the victim complied. He broke all his fixed deposits and liquidated other savings, ultimately transferring the entire sum of Rs 1.07 crore to the criminals between November 26 and December 8.
The retired man, who lives alone with his children residing in different parts of the city, finally approached the Pune Cyber Police and lodged a formal complaint on Saturday, following the last transaction. The police have registered a case and an investigation is now underway.
A Growing Threat to Senior Citizens
This case highlights a disturbing trend of cybercriminals specifically targeting senior citizens with fear-based, impersonation scams. The use of video calls in police uniform adds a terrifying layer of authenticity that can easily overwhelm victims. Authorities urge the public, especially elders, to be vigilant. Genuine police or government officials will never demand money over the phone to settle a case or avoid arrest.
If you receive such a call, it is crucial to verify the caller's identity by contacting the local police station directly using official numbers, and to immediately consult with a family member before taking any action. The Pune Cyber Police are investigating the digital trail to identify the perpetrators behind this major financial fraud.
