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.
