Chembur Woman Loses ₹16.34 Lakh in Elaborate Elon Musk Impersonation Scam
A 40-year-old woman from Chembur, Mumbai, found herself entangled in a sophisticated online romance scam that ultimately cost her nearly ₹16.34 lakh. The fraud began when she started conversing with an individual on social media platform X, who claimed to be billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk.
The Promise of a Dream Life
The impersonator gradually built an emotional connection with the woman over several days of chatting, eventually shifting their conversation to another messaging application. He painted an enticing picture of their future together, promising marriage, a luxurious lifestyle in the United States, and a shared life that seemed too good to be true.
What started as seemingly innocent online interaction quickly transformed into a carefully orchestrated confidence trick, with the fraudster exploiting the woman's trust and aspirations for personal gain.
The Introduction of "James" and Visa Processing
After establishing the romantic relationship, the fake "Elon Musk" introduced the woman to another person named James, who claimed to specialize in US visa arrangements. The woman, who works at an insurance company, was informed she needed to pay processing charges to expedite her visa paperwork.
Instead of requesting official government fees, James instructed her to purchase multiple Amazon gift cards and share their codes with him. He assured her this unconventional method would "simplify" the visa process and help avoid bureaucratic delays.
Mounting Financial Losses
Between October 2025 and January 2026, the woman complied with these requests, spending approximately ₹16.34 lakh on Amazon gift cards. The scam began to unravel on January 15, 2026, when James demanded an additional ₹2 lakh for what he claimed were flight ticket expenses.
When the woman expressed doubts and refused to make further payments, both men abruptly ceased communication. They informed her she would no longer be traveling to the United States, leaving her confused and concerned about the substantial financial losses she had incurred.
Police Intervention and Legal Action
Alarmed by the sudden change in behavior and realizing she might have been deceived, the woman confided in her parents, who advised her to contact the cyber police helpline. Based on her detailed complaint, authorities registered a formal case under multiple legal provisions.
The police have invoked sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by impersonation), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. A police officer explained, "We have added impersonation charges because the accused pretended to be Elon Musk and used that false identity to cheat the woman, who made payments using her credit cards."
Growing Concern About Online Romance Scams
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of online romance scams targeting vulnerable individuals seeking companionship or better opportunities. Cyber criminals often create elaborate personas of famous personalities or successful professionals to establish credibility before exploiting their victims financially.
Authorities emphasize the importance of verifying online identities, being cautious about sharing personal information, and avoiding unconventional payment methods like gift cards for official processes. The Chembur case serves as a stark reminder that if an online opportunity seems too perfect, it often carries hidden risks that can lead to significant financial and emotional distress.
