Digital Deceit: Unraveling a Multi-Lakh Cyber Scam

A senior citizen in Navi Mumbai was conned out of Rs 64 lakh over four years by cyber criminals posing as insurance and grievance officials. The impostors fabricated charges to extract funds and manipulate banking details, prompting a police investigation after the victim realized the fraud.

Navi Mumbai has become the latest backdrop for a staggering cyber fraud case, where an elderly citizen lost Rs 64 lakh. The perpetrators, impersonating insurance regulators, swindled money over several years, police disclosed on Sunday.

The Navi Mumbai Cyber Police lodged an FIR on April 20 following reports that the victim, 62, was lured by cybercriminals posing as officials from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) and Integrated Grievance Management System (IGMS). They promised policy fund recoveries requiring new purchases but ultimately led to financial deceit.

The fraud escalated as the accused persuaded the victim to open new bank accounts and send ATM cards to distant addresses. The scam came to light when a legal notice highlighted criminal activity through his accounts. The police are currently tracking multiple phone numbers and an email ID linked to the suspects.