In a distressing incident highlighting the rising threat of digital fraud, a 62-year-old retired income tax officer from Ulhasnagar was duped of her entire life savings amounting to over Rs 60 lakh. The elaborate scam involved fraudsters impersonating officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to execute a fake digital arrest, leaving the victim financially devastated.
The Elaborate Con: How the Scam Unfolded
The victim, a woman identified as Khushbu (name changed), resides in Ulhasnagar Camp-1. The ordeal began on November 17 when she received a call from a man claiming to be Vishwas Patil, a CBI officer. The caller alleged that illegal transactions worth several lakhs of rupees had been conducted through her bank account and that a formal complaint was registered against her.
To build credibility and instill fear, the fraudsters sent her a counterfeit notice designed to mimic official Reserve Bank of India (RBI) documents. This notice falsely stated that she needed to immediately transfer all "suspicious" funds from her account to a designated RBI verification account for investigation. The scammers audaciously claimed her savings were nearly Rs 1 crore and insisted on the transfer of the full amount.
Psychological Pressure and Financial Ruin
The con artists employed highly sophisticated intimidation tactics. They contacted the victim via WhatsApp, conducted video calls while posing in police uniforms, and prominently displayed police logos. Senior police inspector Santosh Awhad confirmed that these methods were used to frighten the retired officer into compliance.
Believing the threats to be genuine, the panicked victim, who lives with her 70-year-old unmarried sister, sought to avoid legal trouble. Under immense pressure, she first transferred Rs 40 lakh to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. A few days later, she transferred an additional Rs 20.2 lakh.
The intimidation was so severe that even when bank staff questioned the purpose of these large transactions, she refused to disclose any details and proceeded with the transfers. The money represented her entire life's earnings, saved to secure the future for herself and her elder sister.
Last-Minute Suspicion and Police Action
The scam nearly escalated further when the fraudsters pressured her to transfer another Rs 40 lakh. Fortunately, the victim grew suspicious at the last moment and approached the Ulhasnagar police station, which is located barely 50 metres from her residence, to file a formal complaint.
Based on her complaint, the police have registered a case against the main accused, Vishwas Patil, along with Riya Sharma, Pradeep Jaiswal, and other unidentified persons. However, by the time the investigation was launched, the fraudsters had already routed the entire Rs 60 lakh through multiple bank accounts and withdrawn the sum.
The Ulhasnagar Police, with assistance from the cybercrime unit, are now actively searching for the suspects and tracing the complex money trail. This case serves as a stark reminder of the advanced methods used by online criminals.
Authorities have once again urged citizens to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be from law enforcement agencies like the CBI, police, or financial regulators like the RBI. Genuine officials never demand immediate money transfers or sensitive financial details over phone or video calls.
