Thane: A 42-year-old resident of Thane city became the victim of cyber fraud, losing Rs 82 lakh after being lured into investing in cryptocurrency. According to police, the fraudsters contacted the victim via social media in December last year, convincing him to invest in digital currency.
The accused provided specific links for online transactions, and between December 18, 2024, and January 6, 2025, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 82 lakh. However, he realised he had been scammed when the fraudsters suddenly stopped all communication.
Upon filing a complaint, the Kasarwadavli police registered a case under the Information Technology (IT) Act on March 24, reported the New Indian Express. Cops have identified the accused using mobile phone numbers and are currently tracking their digital footprints and financial transactions.
Astrology App Scam: Engineer In Bandra Duped Of Rs 12.21 Lakh
In another case, a 25-year-old software engineer from Bandra East lost Rs 12.21 lakh to fraudsters through an online astrology app named "Divine Talk." The Western Cyber Police registered a case on March 24.
According to the FIR, the victim, V.K. Ramekbal, initially downloaded the app out of curiosity in January 2023, occasionally using it to read predictions about his future. However, by August 2024, facing personal and professional struggles, he started relying more on the app.
In January 2025, he contacted an astrologer named Nishant, who claimed that his problems could be resolved through special puja rituals for Rs 6,300. After making the payment via UPI, Ramekbal was introduced to ‘Bade Maharaj’, who demanded additional payments for the rituals. Each time, he was told that the previous amount only covered consultation fees.
Over time, the fraudsters extracted Rs 9.80 lakh from him via credit card transactions, threatening that if the rituals were not completed, he would suffer misfortune, and even face death. Desperate, he tried borrowing money from friends, who then made him realize he was being scammed.
App's Reviews Showed Multiple Complaints By Other Victims
When Ramekbal contacted the app’s customer service, a woman named Noori Pandey assured him that the rituals could still be completed and even provided meditation sessions. However, when he asked for a refund, she refused. After checking the app’s reviews, he found multiple complaints from other victims.
Realising the fraud, Ramekbal approached the Cyber Police, who have now registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Investigations are underway in both cases.
