Daijiworld Media Network- Mumbai
Mumbai, Aug 8: In a shocking case of online deception, an 80-year-old Mumbai resident has been swindled of a staggering Rs 9 crore over a span of 22 months, after falling prey to a well-orchestrated cyber fraud carried out in the guise of friendship, sympathy, and emotional manipulation.
The victim’s ordeal began in April 2023 when he sent a friend request on Facebook to a woman named Sharvi. Although the request was initially ignored, days later, he received a request from the same account, which he accepted. Conversations soon moved from Facebook to WhatsApp, where Sharvi claimed to be separated from her husband and living with her children. She began requesting money, citing her children’s ill health.
Soon after, another woman named Kavita contacted the elderly man, claiming to be an acquaintance of Sharvi. Kavita allegedly sent obscene messages and began demanding money. Months later, a third woman, Dinaz, surfaced, claiming to be Sharvi’s sister. She informed the victim that Sharvi had died, demanding hospital expenses and even using screenshots of the victim’s past conversations to extort more money.
When the victim asked for repayment, Dinaz allegedly threatened to commit suicide. The harassment continued when a fourth woman, Jasmine, who claimed to be Dinaz’s friend, pleaded for financial help.
Between April 2023 and January 2025, the man transferred a staggering Rs 8.7 crore across 734 transactions. With his savings exhausted, he borrowed Rs 2 lakh from his daughter-in-law and later requested Rs 5 lakh from his son, raising suspicion. Upon learning the truth, the family intervened, but the shock led to the elderly man being hospitalised, where doctors diagnosed him with dementia.
A cybercrime complaint was registered on July 22, 2025. Police suspect that all four identities could be the handiwork of a single individual or a coordinated fraud network. Investigations are underway.
This case serves as a grim reminder of how online scams continue to target vulnerable individuals, exploiting loneliness and trust for financial gain.