Mumbai Tech Executive Loses ₹6.29 Crore to Cyber Fraud in Pune: A Shocking Case of Digital Deception

In a distressing case of cybercrime, a senior executive from a Mumbai-based software company fell victim to an elaborate online scam, losing a staggering ₹6.29 crore. This incident, marked as the largest online fraud recorded by Pune's Cyber Police to date, highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals and the urgent need for public awareness.

The 59-year-old victim, who resides in Pashan, Pune, was subjected to a harrowing five-day ordeal between November 9 and November 14. Posing as officials from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the fraudsters manipulated the victim into believing he was under "digital arrest" as part of a fake money laundering investigation linked to his mobile number.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber), Vivek Masal, revealed that the victim, who is set to retire in six months, approached the police in a deeply distressed state. After counseling him, the police registered a formal complaint and launched an investigation. A dedicated team is now analyzing the communication between the victim and the fraudsters, as well as tracing the bank accounts where the stolen funds were transferred. Telecom companies and banks have been requested to expedite the provision of call records and account details to aid the probe.

The scam began with the fraudsters contacting the victim through a mobile messenger app. Claiming to be from the CBI, they alleged that the victim’s Aadhaar details implicated him in a money laundering case. The con artists demanded photocopies of his Aadhaar card and detailed information about his bank accounts, citing "verification purposes." Believing their claims, the victim disclosed his account details, revealing a total of ₹6.29 crore across three accounts.

Exploiting the victim's panic, the fraudsters directed him to transfer the entire amount into their accounts under the pretense of complying with Reserve Bank of India (RBI) regulations. They assured him that his money would be returned after completing the so-called investigation, provided he was found innocent. Over the course of five transactions made via online banking and RTGS, the victim transferred the full amount.

The situation escalated when the fraudsters demanded an additional ₹60 lakh, threatening the victim with arrest if he failed to comply. They even pressured him to take out a loan to meet their demands, claiming to have imprisoned others in similar situations. The relentless harassment continued with threatening calls until November 19.

Realizing he had been duped, the victim eventually severed communication with the fraudsters and reported the incident to the authorities. Senior Inspector Swapnali Shinde, who is overseeing the investigation, emphasized the psychological tactics employed by the criminals, which left the victim in a vulnerable state.

This alarming case underscores the importance of staying vigilant against cyber scams. Always verify the identity of individuals claiming to represent government agencies and consult law enforcement immediately if you suspect fraudulent activity. With cybercriminals employing increasingly convincing methods, public awareness and proactive action are crucial to preventing such devastating losses.