Wed Dec 24 11:19:55 UTC 2025: News Article:
Mumbai Senior Citizen Swindled Out of ₹9 Crore in Sophisticated Cyber Fraud
Mumbai, India – An 85-year-old man from the Thakurdwar area of Mumbai has fallen victim to a massive cyber fraud, losing nearly ₹9 crore to criminals posing as police officers. The victim was tricked into transferring his life savings under the guise of a “digital arrest” and accusations of money laundering and terror financing.
According to the police complaint, the ordeal began on November 28, 2025, when the man received a phone call from an individual identifying himself as Inspector Deepak Sharma from the Panchavati Police Station in Nashik. The caller falsely claimed that a bank account had been opened in the victim’s name and was being used for illicit activities. He also mentioned that the CBI and a Special Investigation Team were involved.
Subsequently, the victim received a WhatsApp video call from someone dressed in a police uniform who reiterated the false accusations and warned him against informing his family. The fraudsters then convinced the elderly man that he was under “digital arrest,” coercing him into revealing his bank details, investment information, and transferring funds. They presented fabricated documents purportedly from the Supreme Court of India and the RBI, claiming the transferred money would be returned with interest after the investigation.
Between December 1st and December 17th, the victim, fearing legal repercussions, liquidated his investments and transferred ₹9 crore through RTGS to various accounts at ICICI, IndusInd, Axis, and Yes Bank.
The fraud was only discovered on December 22nd when the victim attempted to transfer an additional ₹3 crore at a Bank of India branch in Girgaon. Alert bank employees intervened, suspecting foul play, and advised the man to contact his family. It was then the family exposed the fraudulent scheme.
The victim has filed a complaint with the cybercrime helpline, naming “Deepak Sharma” and his associates as responsible for the fraud. He is seeking legal action against the involved bank account holders and beneficiaries.
Authorities have registered a case and launched an investigation into the sophisticated cyber fraud, highlighting the increasing threat posed to vulnerable senior citizens by online criminals.
First Piper 