A 70-year-old woman from Pune has tragically fallen prey to a sophisticated cybercrime scheme, losing a staggering ₹74 crores to criminals posing as government officials. The fraudsters impersonated officials from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Maharashtra Police, claiming that her bank account was linked to a money laundering investigation.
Despite the woman’s insistence on her innocence, the fraudsters applied constant pressure, falsely stating that her account had been misused. They coerced her into transferring large sums of money to resolve the supposed issue.
Deceptive Tactics Used by the Fraudsters
The criminals went to great lengths to convince the woman, even claiming that her account was involved in a money laundering case tied to Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal. They told her that she had been “digitally arrested” and to avoid legal repercussions, they demanded selfies from her every two hours. This constant harassment kept her from contacting anyone for help.
Living alone as a widow, the woman trusted the fraudsters’ convincing tactics, which left her vulnerable to their manipulation. Between February 19 and March 10, she transferred ₹74 crores in 74 separate installments, breaking her fixed deposits and investments to comply with their demands. The criminals promised that the money would be safely stored in government accounts and would be refunded later.
According to an Media report, the woman did not realize the scam until it was far too late, as the fraudsters used increasingly convincing methods to lull her into believing she was in a real legal situation.
How to Protect Yourself
Never trust strangers claiming to be government officials over the phone.
Remember, government agencies never ask for money via phone calls.
If you receive suspicious calls, always consult with family or friends before taking action.
Report any cybercrime incidents on the official cybercrime portal to ensure quick assistance.
This incident highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud and the need for heightened awareness to protect against such scams.
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