Mumbai: A 67-year-old retired teacher from Bandra was defrauded of Rs 5.47 crore by cybercriminals who posed as police officers and manipulated her using a sophisticated ‘digital arrest’ scam between November 16 and December 2, 2024. The fraudsters contacted her via WhatsApp, claiming to be from the Mumbai Cyber Police.
According to the complaint, she received a message from unknown person identifying himself as ‘police sub-inspector Pradeep Sawant’. He alleged that illegal calls were being made from a mobile number registered in her name.
He convinced her to file a complaint through a video call using Skype, instructing her to download the app and contact a specific ID. When she complied, the person appeared in a police uniform and questioned her about the alleged misuse of her mobile number.
During the call, the impersonator conducted a mock search, falsely claiming her name was linked to a money laundering case involving a person named ‘Naresh Goyal’. He further alleged that a fraudulent bank account had been opened in her name, warning her that she could be arrested at any moment.
The fraudster sent her a fake arrest warrant bearing the court logo and arranged another Skype call, this time posing as a Central Bureau of India officer named ‘Ranveer Yadav’.
He kept his video off while asking her to keep her camera on. He pressured her by stating that her arrest warrant could be deferred only until November 20, 2024, and demanded details of her bank accounts and investments.
Under the pretence of verifying her bank accounts, the scammers instructed her to break her fixed deposits and transfer the funds to her savings account. A case has been registered at the West cyber police station, and an investigation is underway.
Under the pretence of verifying her bank accounts, the scammers instructed her to break her fixed deposits and transfer the funds to her savings account. A case has been registered at the West cyber police station, and an investigation is underway.
