An 80-year-old man from Mumbai has lost nearly Rs 9 crore in a cyber fraud case that stretched over almost two years and involved 734 online transactions. The elaborate scam was carried out by four women, who police suspect could be the same person, luring the elderly man with claims of love and sympathy.
How the Fraud Began
In April 2023, the man sent a friend request on Facebook to a woman named Sharvi, despite not knowing her personally. The request was not accepted at first. A few days later, he received a friend request from the same account, which he accepted. The two began chatting and soon exchanged phone numbers, moving their conversations to WhatsApp.
Sharvi told the elderly man she was separated from her husband and living with her children. She later began asking for money, claiming her children were unwell.
Not long after, a woman named Kavita began messaging the man on WhatsApp. She claimed to know Sharvi and expressed a desire to be friends with him. Kavita started sending obscene messages and also began asking him for money.
In December that year, another woman named Dinaz contacted the man, claiming to be Sharvi’s sister. She informed him that Sharvi had died and requested payment for hospital bills. Dinaz also sent screenshots of WhatsApp chats between him and Sharvi to pressure him into sending more money. When he asked for repayment, Dinaz allegedly threatened to commit suicide.
The harassment continued when a fourth woman, Jasmine, claimed to be Dinaz’s friend and asked for help. The elderly man sent her money as well.
Savings Exhausted
Between April 2023 and January 2025, the man transferred a total of Rs 8.7 crore in 734 separate transactions. After exhausting all his savings, he borrowed Rs 2 lakh from his daughter-in-law to continue sending money. When demands persisted, he asked his son for Rs 5 lakh.
His son became suspicious and questioned him, leading to the revelation of the ongoing scam.
Health Impact and Police Action
Shocked by the discovery, the elderly man had to be admitted to a hospital, where doctors diagnosed him with dementia.
A cybercrime complaint was lodged on 22 July this year. Police are now investigating and believe that the four women may actually be the same person who orchestrated the fraud
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