The scam began when the woman arranged a courier service to send food to her daughter in the United States.
The following day, she received a call from someone claiming to be an employee of the courier company.
The caller informed her that she had sent illegal items, including her Aadhaar card, expired passports, credit cards, and even cash, along with the food parcel.
In today’s digital world, scams are becoming more sophisticated, and unfortunately, no one is immune to them. A shocking incident in South Mumbai highlights how easily even the most cautious can fall prey to fraudsters. A 78-year-old woman, connected to a well-known builder in the area, was duped out of Rs 1.5 crore by fraudsters posing as officials from various government departments. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can protect yourself from such frauds.
The scam began when the woman arranged a courier service to send food to her daughter in the United States. The following day, she received a call from someone claiming to be an employee of the courier company. The caller informed her that she had sent illegal items, including her Aadhaar card, expired passports, credit cards, and even cash, along with the food parcel. She was told that she was now part of a conspiracy involving money laundering and drug-related offences, which left her deeply worried.
Also read: Retired Mumbai consultant loses Rs 1.8cr in courier scam: Here’s what happened
Things quickly escalated when multiple people posing as officials from various government agencies, including the Cyber Crime Branch and the Finance Department, started contacting her.
The scammers went as far as making video calls, wearing police uniforms, and presenting fake documents like arrest warrants, all designed to make their story seem legitimate. Under the pressure of these convincing tactics, she ended up transferring Rs 1.51 crore to the fraudsters’ accounts. It was only when a family member intervened that she realised she had been scammed.
Also read: Man loses Rs 13 lakh in hotel booking scam: Here’s what happened and tips to avoid such frauds
How to avoid falling for scams
- Verify caller identity: Always double-check the identity of anyone claiming to be from a government agency or company.
- Avoid sharing personal information: Never share sensitive details like your Aadhaar number, bank account, or passwords over the phone or online.
- Be cautious of urgent requests: Scammers often try to create a sense of urgency to pressure you into acting quickly.
- Check documents: If someone presents official-looking documents, verify them through trusted channels.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to the Cybercrime Helpline or your local police immediately.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
