Mumbai Woman Loses Rs 1.5 Crore To Cyber Fraud While Sending Food To Daughter In US

MUMBAI: A 78-year-old woman from South Mumbai lost Rs 1.5 crore in a sophisticated cyber scam involving fraudsters posing as members of the Special Investigation Team of Delhi Police. The elderly homemaker, a relative of a prominent local builder, was falsely accused of involvement in money laundering and drug-related activities.

The incident began when she arranged a courier service to send food to her daughter in the US. The following day, she received a call from someone claiming to represent the courier company. The caller alleged that her package contained not just food but also sensitive items like her Aadhaar card, expired passports, credit cards, and illegal substances, along with $2,000 in cash. The fraudsters accused her of being part of a criminal conspiracy.

Over subsequent days, multiple individuals impersonating officials from various government departments contacted her. Using video calls, they wore police uniforms and showed fake documents such as arrest warrants to intimidate her.

Tricked into believing she was under investigation, she disclosed her banking details and transferred Rs 1.51 crore to accounts provided by the scammers, allegedly to "safeguard" her assets.

The woman realized she had been duped after discussing the matter with a family member and immediately reported the crime to the Cybercrime Police Helpline. The case is now with Mumbai Police's South Cyber Cell.

Authorities highlighted that the scammers used multiple accounts to launder the money quickly. Experts urge citizens, especially the elderly, to verify claims, avoid sharing personal details, and report suspicious calls promptly.

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