Quick Overview
A retired bank manager from Pune was defrauded of an astonishing Rs 2.22 crore in a cyber scam that involved multiple fraudulent calls from scammers posing as government officials. The scam, which began at the end of 2023, exploited the victim’s trust through a series of deceptive tactics involving fake insurance policies and false promises of high returns.
The retired bank manager, aged 62, became a target for a sophisticated cyber scam that unfolded over several months.
The scammers, posing as officials from various government agencies, manipulated her trust by using the names of well-known leaders and finance experts to lend credibility to their claims.
The criminals utilized 19 different identities to maintain a façade of legitimacy, which included impersonating officials from the Ministry of Finance and the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDAI).
They lured the victim into purchasing multiple insurance policies by promising high maturity benefits, which were never realized.
The scammers continuously demanded payments for various charges, including GST, income tax, and transaction fees, which were all fabricated.
As the scam progressed, the victim was told that her previous payments had gone to fraudulent accounts. The scammers then coerced her into making additional payments, claiming it was necessary to recover her lost funds. This cycle of deception led her to lose an even greater amount of money.
Police Response
Upon learning of the situation, the Pimpri Chinchwad police filed a First Information Report (FIR) based on the victim’s complaint. They have initiated an investigation to track down the perpetrators and prevent further incidents.
What Police Analysed?
The police reported that this scam has been ongoing since late 2023, highlighting the prolonged nature of the deception. The use of well-known names and government titles was a critical tactic in the scammers’ approach, allowing them to exploit the victim’s trust and financial naivety.
Final Takeaways
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities individuals face in the digital age, especially those who may not be as familiar with online scams. The elaborate tactics used by the scammers underscore the importance of skepticism when receiving unsolicited calls or offers, particularly those involving financial transactions. It is crucial for individuals to verify the identities of callers and seek …