Mumbai Doctor Loses ₹6.71 Lakh to SIR Scam

A 77-year-old retired doctor from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai has been cheated of ₹6.71 lakh by cyber fraudsters. The scam occurred when the doctor, Dr Pratap Bongirwar, received an SMS on July 29 with a phone number claiming to be from a poll officer.

The fraudster told Dr Bongirwar that there was a discrepancy in his Special Intensive Revision (SIR) form and offered to help him resolve the issue through an e-verification process. The caller then sent a link to a bogus voter verification website, which asked Dr Bongirwar to pay ₹5 as a verification charge.

After paying the charge, Dr Bongirwar's phone was flooded with one-time passwords, arousing his suspicion. He later discovered that ₹6,71,006 had been siphoned off from his bank account. The incident highlights the growing concern of cyber fraud in Mumbai, where scamsters are using fake links and websites to cheat unsuspecting citizens.

The SIR form is used for voter verification and is an important document for citizens to ensure their voting rights. However, in this case, the scamsters used the pretext of rectifying a discrepancy in the form to cheat the doctor. The incident has been reported to the authorities, and an investigation is underway.

The rise of cyber fraud in Mumbai has been a major concern for the city's residents, with many cases of online scams and phishing being reported in recent times. The authorities have been warning citizens to be cautious when receiving unsolicited messages or links, and to never share their personal or financial information with unknown individuals.

In this case, the scamsters used a fake poll officer's phone number and a bogus website to cheat the doctor. The incident highlights the need for citizens to be vigilant and to verify the authenticity of any messages or links they receive.

The Mumbai police have been cracking down on cyber fraud cases, and have been advising citizens to report any suspicious activity to the authorities. The police have also been conducting awareness campaigns to educate citizens on how to avoid falling prey to online scams.

The incident is a reminder for citizens to be cautious when dealing with online transactions and to never share their personal or financial information with unknown individuals. It is also important for citizens to verify the authenticity of any messages or links they receive, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

In conclusion, the case of the retired BARC doctor being cheated of ₹6.71 lakh is a stark reminder of the growing concern of cyber fraud in Mumbai. It highlights the need for citizens to be vigilant and to take necessary precautions to avoid falling prey to online scams.