Mumbai Cyber Scam: Senior Citizens Lose ₹30 Lakh

A cyber scam targeting senior citizens in Mumbai has resulted in losses of over ₹30 lakh. The scam, which exploits the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, involves fraudsters impersonating Election Commission officials and cheating victims through fake links and malicious APK files.

The Mumbai Police have registered several cases related to this scam, with the majority of victims being senior citizens. In one case, a 66-year-old retired bank employee, Shailesh Pandurang Kulkarni, was contacted by a person claiming to be from the Election Commission's Mumbai office. The accused told him that an error had been found in his electoral-roll details and asked him to pay ₹5 to correct it. Kulkarni was sent an APK file, which enabled the fraudsters to siphon ₹4.65 lakh from his account and ₹2.36 lakh from his sister's account.

Another case involved a 79-year-old Chembur resident, Manjeri Subramanyam Krishnamurthy, who received a call from fraudsters claiming that his voter records carried his old address. They told him that their team was helping citizens complete SIR forms and sent an APK file. The accused allegedly accessed his financial details and withdrew ₹11.28 lakh through the credit card linked to his savings account.

A similar case was reported by a 77-year-old retired BARC doctor, Dr Pratap Bongirwar, to Trombay police. On July 30, fraudsters allegedly sent him a link claiming that his name and his father's name did not match electoral records. Following instructions, ₹6.71 lakh was transferred from his bank account.

The scam highlights the vulnerability of senior citizens to cybercrime and the need for increased awareness and vigilance. The Mumbai Police have advised citizens to be cautious when receiving calls or messages claiming to be from the Election Commission and to never download or install unknown APK files.

The SIR of electoral rolls is an ongoing process aimed at updating and correcting voter records. However, cybercriminals are exploiting this process to target unsuspecting citizens. The Mumbai Police have urged citizens to verify the authenticity of any communication claiming to be from the Election Commission and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

The scam has resulted in significant financial losses for the victims and has raised concerns about the safety and security of online transactions. The Mumbai Police are investigating the cases and have advised citizens to take necessary precautions to protect themselves from cybercrime.

In conclusion, the Mumbai cyber scam targeting senior citizens is a serious concern that requires immediate attention. Citizens must be vigilant and cautious when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, and the authorities must take swift action to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further losses.