85-year-old man from Mumbai kept under ‘digital arrest’ for 2 weeks in fake money laundering case, is duped of Rs 1.1 crore

Mumbai: A 85-year-old retired Ghatkopar resident lost Rs 1.1 crore of his savings to fraudsters who impersonated police officers and placed him under ‘digital arrest' for over two weeks in a fake money laundering case.According to the FIR registered on Thursday evening at Cyber Police Station, East Division, the ordeal began on April 5 when the 85-year-old received a call from a man who introduced himself as inspector Ranjit Kumar from Mumbai Police headquarters. He told the victim that his Aadhaar card details had been used in a money laundering case registered at Lucknow Police headquarters.Later, two other men in police uniform made video calls, which convinced the victim of their legitimacy. To make their claims appear credible, the fraudsters shared fake documents bearing the names of the Supreme Court of India and the Reserve Bank of India and instructed the 85-year-old to transfer funds to verify his innocence. He was also allegedly threatened with death. Under pressure, the victim transferred Rs 60 lakh, Rs 25 lakh, and Rs 25 lakh to three different bank accounts in the next three days. He later realised he had been duped after speaking to his daughter, who then approached the Cyber Police Station. Subsequently, a case was registered under the relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Samhita and the Information Technology Act for cheating and impersonation.
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