An 87-year-old retired doctor from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has fallen victim to a cyber fraud, losing ₹16.14 lakh to online scammers. The fraudsters deceived the elderly doctor by promising lucrative commissions for reviewing properties on Airbnb.The Indian Express
The scam began when the doctor received a message on the Telegram app from an individual named Sahara Kalyani. She offered the doctor an opportunity to earn extra income by reviewing Airbnb properties online. Initially skeptical, the doctor was persuaded after receiving a commission of ₹983 for the first set of reviews. Encouraged by this initial payment, the doctor continued to participate, eventually transferring a total of ₹17.27 lakh to the fraudsters. The scammers manipulated the doctor by showing accumulated earnings of ₹37.48 lakh on their platform but demanded additional payments to release the funds. Realizing the deceit, the doctor approached the Kharghar police station, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) against the unidentified perpetrators. The Indian Express
This incident is part of a troubling trend in Mumbai, where elderly individuals are increasingly targeted by cybercriminals. In a similar case, a 71-year-old doctor from Mahim was duped of ₹20.38 lakh by fraudsters posing as Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) officers. The scammers convinced the doctor that his mobile number was linked to illegal activities and coerced him into transferring funds to clear his name.
In another alarming case, a 75-year-old retired ship captain from Colaba was defrauded of over ₹11 crore in a stock trading scam. The victim was lured into investing through a fraudulent platform, only to realize the deception when attempts to withdraw profits were unsuccessful. The Indian Express
These incidents highlight the sophisticated tactics employed by cybercriminals and underscore the importance of vigilance, especially among senior citizens. Authorities advise individuals to be cautious of unsolicited messages offering easy money, verify the authenticity of investment opportunities, and report any suspicious activities to the cybercrime helpline at 1930 promptly.The Indian Express
