Navi Mumbai Retiree Loses ₹13 Lakh to Cyber Fraud

A 62-year-old retired man from New Panvel, Navi Mumbai, was allegedly kept under digital arrest at his home for eight days and duped of ₹13 lakh by cyber fraudsters. The fraudsters threatened to arrest him in a fabricated national security case and monitored him through WhatsApp video calls.

The accused posed as a police officer named 'Rohit Kumar' from the 'Indian Data Centre' and contacted the victim on August 13. They told him that a fake Canara Bank account had been opened in his name by the banned Popular Front of India and that a SIM card registered in his name had been misused in a criminal case.

The victim was forced to confine himself to a room at his residence and remained under the cybercriminals' surveillance from August 13 to August 20. During this period, he was instructed to send messages to the accused at regular intervals.

The fraudsters promised to help him get out of the case and showed him purported letters from the Supreme Court and the Enforcement Directorate to intimidate him. They then instructed him to break two fixed deposits worth ₹8 lakh and ₹5 lakh.

On August 19, the victim transferred the entire ₹13 lakh to a current account in the name of Global Chemotech at ICICI Bank in Jalgaon, as directed by the accused. The following day, the accused made another video call and asked the victim and his wife to sit in front of them. They then started seeking details about gold ornaments kept at the house and funds held in other bank accounts.

This raised suspicion in the victim's wife, who realised that the conversation was suspicious and advised her husband to approach the police. The police were informed, and a case was registered against an unidentified cybercrime gang under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act.

The Khandeshwar police are now working to identify and trace the accused. The incident highlights the increasing threat of cybercrime in the city and the need for citizens to be vigilant when receiving unsolicited calls or messages.

The police have advised citizens to be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals who claim to be from government agencies or banks. They have also urged citizens to verify the authenticity of such claims before taking any action.

The incident has caused concern among the residents of Navi Mumbai, who are now more aware of the dangers of cybercrime. The police are taking steps to increase awareness about cybercrime and to prevent such incidents in the future.

The case is under investigation, and the police are working to track down the accused and bring them to justice. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of being vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown individuals or suspicious messages.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in cybercrime cases in Navi Mumbai, with many residents falling prey to such scams. The police have been working to combat cybercrime and to create awareness among citizens about the dangers of such scams.

The incident highlights the need for citizens to be aware of the risks of cybercrime and to take steps to protect themselves. It also underscores the importance of reporting such incidents to the police immediately, so that action can be taken to prevent further losses.

The police are urging citizens to be cautious and to verify the authenticity of any claims made by unknown individuals. They are also advising citizens to keep their personal and financial information secure and to be wary of suspicious messages or calls.

In conclusion, the incident of the 62-year-old retiree being duped of ₹13 lakh by cyber fraudsters is a serious concern and highlights the need for citizens to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with unknown individuals or suspicious messages. The police are working to combat cybercrime and to create awareness among citizens about the dangers of such scams.