https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

77-Year-Old Retired Teacher in Mumbai Duped of ₹76.5 Lakh in Fake CBI-TRAI Scam Involving In-Person Cash Pickup

Police register case under Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita after elaborate six-month-long cyber fraud targeting elderly woman in Mahim.
Indian Masterminds Stories

Mumbai: In a shocking case of cybercrime with a personal twist, a 77-year-old retired school teacher from Mahim, Mumbai, lost ₹76.5 lakh to a gang of scammers who posed as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The fraud, which extended over six months, not only involved psychological manipulation over phone calls but also featured an unprecedented in-person cash collection.

The Central Cyber Police registered a case on Tuesday under multiple sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including charges for impersonation, cheating, forgery, and extortion.

The Scam: A Timeline of Deception

The ordeal began in October 2024 when the victim received a phone call from someone claiming to be a TRAI officer, who alleged that her PAN card, Aadhaar number, and mobile connection were linked to a money laundering racket.

Shortly afterward, a second individual – posing as a CBI agent – contacted her, intensifying the fear by warning that her family, especially her children, could face legal consequences if she didn’t cooperate.

Adding to the elaborate deception, a third scammer impersonated IPS officer Navjot Simi, who questioned her finances and coerced her into transferring ₹13 lakh across various bank accounts in November 2024.

By January 2025, the scammers escalated their demands, pressuring the woman to pay ₹1 crore to “close the case,” with a false assurance that the funds would be reimbursed after an audit. When the victim stated she couldn’t arrange the full amount, they asked for ₹65 lakh for “verification” purposes.

In a desperate attempt to protect her family, the woman broke fixed deposits, sold investments, and emptied her demat account, eventually raising the amount.

Face-to-Face Fraud

On February 5, 2025, the scam took a rare and alarming turn when the victim was asked to deliver the cash in person. She was instructed to join a video call alone and meet a masked woman outside the MHADA office in Kalanagar, Bandra. There, she handed over ₹63.5 lakh in cash.

The scammers promised a refund by April 5, providing forged documents as guarantees. But after that date, all contact was lost.

Legal Action

The Central Cyber Police have registered a case under the following sections of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023:

  • Section 204 – Impersonating a public servant
  • Section 318(4) – Cheating
  • Section 319(2) – Cheating by personation
  • Section 336(2) – Forgery
  • Section 308(2) – Extortion

Investigations are currently underway to trace the culprits and identify the network behind the fraud.

Authorities Urge Vigilance

Cybercrime officials have once again urged the public – especially senior citizens – to remain cautious of unsolicited calls from individuals claiming to be government officials. “No genuine officer from TRAI, CBI, or any regulatory body will demand money or personal financial details over a phone call,” a senior police officer stated.

Victims of suspected cyber fraud are advised to report incidents immediately via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or by dialing 1930.


Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
supreme-court-4
SCBA Raises Alarm Over Delhi LG’s Notification Allowing Police to Give Evidence at Police Stations-Know more
justice-photo
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Stresses Accessible, Swift Justice and Announces ₹50 Crore Fund to Strengthen Judiciary- Details Inside
Rampage missile
Indian Defence Gets a Boost as IAF Orders Rampage Missiles Following Operation Sindoor; DRDO Demonstrates Next-Gen UAV-Launched Weaponry
Degree with IAS
Dr. Lankapalli Bullayya College Launches Innovative ‘Degree with IAS’ Programme to Help Students Prepare for Civil Services
bihar
Bihar on Fast Track: PM Modi and CM Nitish Unveil Rs13,000 Cr Mega Development Push in Bodh Gaya- Details Inside
Oil India legal workshop
Oil India (OIL) Conducts Legal Awareness Workshop on Contractual Disputes, Launches Vigilance Campaign
(ACB) Court in Ranchi
Jharkhand Liquor Scam: Retired IAS Officer Amit Prakash, Chhattisgarh Businessman Granted Bail - Know More
Department of Justice India
Change in Justice Ministry: IAS RK Goyal to Retire, Niraj Verma to Assume Charge
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
Resisted Flawed Schemes, Transferred Thrice In Three Months, Found Solace In Writing
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
IAS SVR Srinivas on Mumbai Trans Harbour Link, Tough Calls, and the Real Power of IAS Officers | Video Interview
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
Dharavi Redevelopment: IAS Minds Turning 100-Year-Old Slum into a Modern City | Video Interview
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Minnu P M
“Lazy, Sleepy, Yet Determined”: Minnu P M’s Honest Take on Cracking UPSC
Minnu PM, once a clerk in Kerala Police, cleared UPSC with AIR 150 after five years of struggle. Her...
IPS Ashish Tiwari
From IIT and Investment Banking to Public Service, Meet IPS Ashish Tiwari 
Ashish Tiwari, IIT graduate and former investment banker, chose public service over global finance. As...
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-12 at 7.27
First Attempt IRS, Fourth Attempt IPS: The Relentless Pursuit of Jitendra Kumar Yadav Who Cracked UPSC 3 Times
IPS Yadav is originally from Chhattisgarh. He was first selected for the IRS through UPSC and later for...
Social Media
Masahiro Hara
From Go Board to Global Use, How QR Codes Changed the World: IRAS Officer Ananth Rupanagudi Spotlights Masahiro Hara’s Vision
IRAS officer Ananth Rupanagudi shared a video on Masahiro Hara, the inventor of QR codes, highlighting...
IFS Susanta Nanda Video
A Mother’s Duty: Tigress Watches Over Cubs Splashing in Waterhole — Heartwarming Video Shared By Retd. IFS Officer Susanta Nanda
A tender wildlife video shared by Retd. IFS officer Susanta Nanda shows a tigress keeping watch over...
Mohanmala
Kaziranga Mourns: Beloved Elephant Mohanmala Passes Away After Five Decades of Service
Kaziranga National Park mourns the loss of Mohanmala, a beloved elephant who served over 50 years as...
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
supreme-court-4
SCBA Raises Alarm Over Delhi LG’s Notification Allowing Police to Give Evidence at Police Stations-Know more
justice-photo
UP CM Yogi Adityanath Stresses Accessible, Swift Justice and Announces ₹50 Crore Fund to Strengthen Judiciary- Details Inside
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
Dr
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-11 at 4.48
WhatsApp Image 2025-08-08 at 5.25
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT