Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai

Mumbai, May 1: In a shocking case of cyber fraud that extended beyond the digital realm, a 77-year-old retired school teacher from Mumbai was conned out of Rs 76 lac over six months by fraudsters posing as government officials, with one of them even collecting the cash in person — a rare and bold move in such crimes.

According to the Central Cyber Police, the elaborate scam began in October 2024, when the victim started receiving phone calls from a person claiming to be a Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) official. She was told her mobile number, Aadhaar, and PAN details had been used in a money laundering case.

The calls escalated when another individual, pretending to be from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), warned her of serious consequences and said the case could jeopardize her daughters' futures. To add to the credibility, a third accused impersonated IPS officer Dr Navjot Simi, and grilled the senior citizen about her personal finances and family members.

On November 15, the complainant, fearful and under pressure, transferred Rs 13 lac via RTGS to several bank accounts. In January 2025, ‘Simi’ contacted her again, claiming the case could not be closed without an audit, and demanded Rs 1 crore, promising it would be returned post-verification. When the victim said she couldn't afford the amount, the fraudsters settled for Rs 65 lac, with a chilling twist — the money had to be handed over in person.

Overwhelmed with anxiety, the victim withdrew her entire life savings, broke fixed deposits, and even liquidated Demat account holdings, managing to gather Rs 63.5 lac.

On February 5, the fraudsters instructed her to reach the MHADA office at Kalanagar, where she was kept on a video call to ensure she was alone. A masked woman, described as slim and aged between 35 and 40 years, arrived, took the bag of cash, and disappeared.

To maintain the illusion, the next day the victim received a message assuring that the money would be returned after verification. On March 27, ‘Simi’ contacted her again, claiming she had been transferred, the case was closed, and that the money would be returned by April 5. However, when no refund came and her calls went unanswered, the victim finally informed her daughter, who alerted the authorities.

“This is a rare case where cyber fraudsters not only manipulated the victim digitally but also collected cash in person, which is uncommon due to the fear of being traced and arrested,” said a police official.

A case has been registered under various sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including:

• Section 308(2): Extortion

• Section 318(4): Cheating

• Section 319(2): Cheating by personation

• Section 336(2): Forgery

• Section 204: Impersonation of a public servant

Authorities are examining CCTV footage and digital traces to identify the perpetrators. The case highlights the growing sophistication of cybercriminals and serves as a grim reminder for the public — especially senior citizens — to verify such claims before parting with money.