Pune Senior Citizen Defrauded of Rs 26.1 Lakh in Elaborate Cyber Scam
A 66-year-old retired defence personnel from Dhanori, Pune, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud operation, losing a staggering Rs 26.1 lakh to criminals impersonating officers from the Mumbai crime branch. The elaborate scam involved threats of arrest in a fabricated money laundering case, preying on the victim's fears and trust in law enforcement.
Police Complaint Filed After Son's Intervention
The Vishrantwadi police officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Wednesday, following the victim's initial approach to the Pune cybercrime police with a detailed complaint application. According to police sources, the fraud began on February 11 when the senior citizen received a video call from an individual claiming to be an official from the Mumbai crime branch.
The caller alleged that the victim was implicated in 20 separate cases of cheating and threatening people with the Mumbai police, and ominously stated that an arrest warrant had already been issued against him. To lend credibility to their claims, the fraudster shared a forged document displaying the victim's full name and sensitive Aadhaar details, creating a facade of official legitimacy.
How the Scam Unfolded: Threats and False Promises
The cybercriminals then escalated their deception by asserting that the victim's Aadhaar card had been misused to open bank accounts for laundering money to a banned organization. Posing as a "senior officer," they offered assurances of assistance but demanded confidential information about his bank accounts, fixed deposits, and pension funds under the guise of an investigation.
Under intense pressure and fearing legal repercussions, the victim was instructed to transfer funds for "verification" purposes and was sternly warned not to disclose the matter to anyone, including family members. Over the course of three days, the senior citizen broke his fixed deposits and transferred the entire amount of Rs 26.1 lakh to the fraudsters' accounts.
Key Details of the Cyber Fraud Case
- Victim Profile: 66-year-old retired defence personnel residing in Dhanori, Pune.
- Amount Lost: Rs 26.1 lakh, transferred over three days.
- Modus Operandi: Impersonation of Mumbai crime branch officers via video call.
- False Allegations: Claimed victim had 20 cases of cheating and an active arrest warrant.
- Document Forgery: Used fake documents with victim's name and Aadhaar details.
- Final Trigger: Victim's son urged him to approach police after learning of the incident.
It was only after the transactions were completed that the victim confided in his son, who immediately recognized the scam and urged him to contact the authorities. This case highlights the growing trend of cybercriminals targeting senior citizens with sophisticated impersonation tactics, exploiting their trust in official institutions and fear of legal consequences.
Police officials have emphasized the importance of verifying such calls through official channels and never sharing personal financial information with unsolicited callers. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to trace the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
