Loses Rs. 1.6 crore to conmen posing as Mumbai Police officials

Mysuru:  Cyber criminals have devised a new strategy of swindling money from senior citizens by claiming that their phone number has been used to disseminate obscene advertisements and harassing messages.

Mysuru’s Cybercrime, Economic Offences and Narcotics (CEN) Police Station have registered a case after an 82-year-old resident from Kuvempunagar was scammed out of Rs. 1,06,50,000 by fraudsters posing as Mumbai Police officials.

The incident occurred on Oct. 8 when the retired senior citizen received a call from an individual who claimed to be an officer with the ‘Notification Unit, Telecommunication Registering Authority of India.’ The caller alleged that the senior citizen’s phone number was involved in cases related to obscene advertisements and harassment messages.

The elderly man was then instructed to contact the Mumbai Police Station for further clarification. Subsequently, he received another call from a different number, this time from someone else posing as a Mumbai Police official.

This second caller alleged that the elderly man was under investigation in a money laundering case, even sending supposed ‘official’ documents over WhatsApp to bolster the claim.

In an additional twist, the caller insisted that the senior citizen transfer funds from his bank account to a specified account for ‘verification’. He promised the money would be refunded once the verification process was complete. Trusting the instructions, the elderly man sent Rs. 1,06,50,000 in several instalments, only to realise later that he had fallen victim to a scam.

Doctor duped of Rs. 12 lakh

In another incident, a Mysuru-based doctor was swindled out of Rs. 12.11 lakh in a job scam that promised employment in Qatar. The doctor, an endodontics specialist who runs a dental clinic in Mysuru city, aspired to work abroad. Upon responding to a job advertisement, the doctor was contacted by someone claiming to represent a Mumbai-based recruitment company, offering a job in Qatar and assistance with obtaining the required licence.

Persuaded by the job offer, the doctor transferred Rs. 12.11 lakh to the account provided. After no job materialised, the doctor realised being duped and filed a complaint at the Nazarbad Police Station.

In response, Police have issued a public advisory urging citizens to remain vigilant against such scams. Authorities advise residents never to share personal or financial information over the phone with unknown callers and to contact their local police station immediately if they receive suspicious calls.

Genuine law enforcement or Government officials will never ask for funds to be transferred for verification purposes. Complaints can be made to the nearest Police Station, CEN Police Station or dial 112 or Helpline 1930 for guidance, as timely intervention can prevent significant financial losses.