Cybercriminals recently targeted an 85-year-old woman from the city, subjecting her to what can be described as a 'digital arrest' and extorting a staggering ₹5.9 crore from her. This elaborate scam involved convincing the elderly woman that her Aadhaar details were allegedly linked to serious money laundering cases involving Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty and Jet Airways founder Naresh Goyal.
The fraudsters, posing as officials from the Mumbai Cybercrime Wing, manipulated the woman into believing that her bank accounts and fixed deposits were under investigation and needed immediate verification by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). Under this false pretext, they coerced her into transferring significant sums of money into specific accounts that they claimed were set up by the RBI for verification purposes.
When the woman attempted to contact her son for advice, the criminals threatened her, insisting that the matter was of utmost confidentiality. They warned that any attempt to inform her family would lead to severe consequences, including potential legal trouble for her son and the entire family.
The incident came to light when her son, a software professional based in Bengaluru, visited her after about a week. He noticed her distress and learned of the fraudulent activities. Realizing his mother was in a state of psychological manipulation and fear, he immediately contacted the Telarigarra Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) to report the crime.
Fearful for her family's safety, the woman complied with their demands, transferring large sums into various accounts. It was only when her son arrived and intervened that the ongoing fraud was halted. He quickly reassured his mother, explaining that she had been deceived, and together, they reported the incident to the authorities. The police are now investigating the case, and efforts are underway to trace the criminals responsible for this heinous act.
