Pune Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 1.28 Crore in Elaborate Cyber Police Impersonation Scam
In a distressing case of cyber fraud targeting the elderly, an 86-year-old retired bank manager from Wanowrie, Pune, was cheated of a staggering Rs 1.28 crore by criminals posing as officers from the Mumbai police. The elaborate scam unfolded between December 19 last year and January 21, with the fraudsters threatening to arrest the victim in a completely fabricated 'money laundering case'.
Cyber Police Register FIR After Verifying Victim's Complaint
The Pune cybercrime police officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday, following a thorough verification of the victim's complaint application, which was filed earlier this month. Police investigations revealed that the elderly victim resides alone in a flat, with his daughters living nearby.
Senior cybercrime police inspector Swapnali Shinde provided detailed insights into the modus operandi of the criminals. "The crooks called the victim and falsely identified themselves as officers of the Mumbai police, claiming that a case had been registered against him at the Colaba police station," Shinde explained to TOI.
Sophisticated Impersonation Tactics Employed by Fraudsters
The scammers employed highly convincing tactics to lend credibility to their threats. They conducted a video call with the victim on a popular mobile messaging application, during which they were seen wearing police uniforms, further reinforcing their false identities.
During these interactions, the suspects made alarming allegations against the retired bank manager. "They claimed that the victim's bank account had been used in a money laundering case and that his phone number had also been misused to carry out money laundering activities across various parts of the country," Inspector Shinde elaborated.
Psychological Pressure and Fake Legal Documents Used
The fraudsters intensified their psychological manipulation by threatening imminent arrest. "The crooks told the victim that they would soon arrest him in the case, warning that this would bring a bad name to him and his family," Shinde stated. To add a layer of authenticity to their threats, they forwarded a fake arrest warrant purportedly issued by a Mumbai court to the victim.
Capitalizing on the victim's fear, the scammers then pretended to offer a way out. They asked him to cooperate with their investigation and, under the pretext of helping him evade prosecution, obtained details of his three bank accounts.
Financial Exploitation and Massive Fund Transfers
The criminals promised not to arrest the elderly man in exchange for payment of the allegedly laundered amount and other charges. They provided him with details of seven different bank accounts, leading the victim to transfer a total of Rs 1.28 crore from his savings.
The scam was eventually uncovered when one of the victim's daughters visited his home and noticed his unusual behavior. "She asked him what was wrong, and the elderly man revealed the entire ordeal, including the digital arrest threats he had been facing," Inspector Shinde recounted.
Ongoing Investigation and Broader Implications
The senior cybercrime police inspector confirmed that authorities are actively investigating the case to gather further details and identify leads. This incident highlights the growing sophistication of cybercrimes targeting vulnerable senior citizens, particularly those living alone.
Key aspects of the investigation include:
- Tracking the seven bank accounts used to receive the fraudulent transfers
- Analyzing digital footprints from the video calls and messaging applications
- Examining the fake arrest warrant for forensic evidence
- Identifying patterns that might link this case to other similar cyber frauds
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of cybersecurity awareness, especially among elderly populations who may be less familiar with digital threats. Authorities urge citizens to verify any unsolicited legal claims directly with official police stations and to consult family members before making large financial transactions under pressure.
