FIR against caretaker in Mumbai for swindling Rs 4.5 lakh from elderly employer’s bank account

Mumbai: An 81-year-old man, who is a director on the board of five companies, has lodged a police complaint against his caretaker-cum-nurse for fraudulently transferring a sum of Rs 4.5 lakh out of his bank account into hers. Sakinaka police have registered an FIR against the accused, Nisha Bekre.

The complainant lives with his 78-year-old wife. On Feb 26, the complainant fell ill with a chest infection and cough. He had to be admitted to a hospital ICCU for 12 days. He was discharged and was asked to rest at home.

On April 5, his caretaker-cum-nurse Vijaya referred another caretaker, Bekre, for work in the second day shift. The complainant hired Bekre’s services for Rs 1,100 per day.

In Bekre’s presence, the complainant unlocked his phone and ordered medicines and household items online. He suspects she made a mental note of his phone-unlocking PIN. Whenever he went to the bathroom, he would leave his phone unattended on the bed.

On April 26, he received a text from his bank that money had been deducted from his bank account. He immediately called the bank’s relationship manager, who offered to pay him a visit the next day with his bank statement. Meanwhile, Bekre was relieved from service and paid Rs 27,500 by the complainant for 22 days of service.

After the relationship manager met the complainant, it was discovered that Bekre had fraudulently transferred Rs 4.55 lakh from his bank account to hers. The complainant then informed the police.