Elderly Woman Scammed of Rs 8 Lakh by Fake Pilot on Facebook

A 68-year-old tuition teacher was allegedly defrauded of over Rs 8 lakh by a scammer posing as a British Airways pilot on Facebook. After receiving a friend request and engaging in chats, she was duped into sending money for fake customs charges and threats. The police have registered a case and are investigating.

A 68-year-old tuition teacher in Mahim, Mumbai, became the victim of an elaborate scam, losing more than Rs 8 lakh to a fraudster on Facebook, police officials reported on Friday.

She received a friend request in May from 'Dev Patel,' claiming to be a British Airways pilot. Their chats led the scammer to persuade her to pay Rs 70,000 for a parcel supposedly stuck at customs. Further demands were made under false pretenses, leading to a total loss of Rs 8.15 lakh.

A case has been registered under IPC section 420, and an investigation is ongoing to apprehend the culprit.