Beware of Cyber Scams: How a 67-Year-Old Pune Woman Lost ₹1.14 Crore to Fake ‘Police’ Threats

The Anatomy of the Scam

The fraudsters, posing as law enforcement officers, claimed the woman had received 10% commission from the multi-crore “Naresh Goyal money-laundering case.” To make their threats more convincing, they used WhatsApp audio and video calls, even wearing police uniforms.

They accused her of being under investigation for money laundering and threatened her with arrest. Panicked and confused, the victim transferred money in a bid to “clear her name,” unaware that the accounts she was paying into were controlled by cybercriminals.

Links to Larger Syndicates

The police revealed that this scam was part of a multilayered, international cybercrime syndicate. The stolen money was routed through mule accounts and converted into cryptocurrency to evade detection. Such scams have been on the rise, prompting warnings from the Ministry of Home Affairs and even a mention by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his “Mann Ki Baat” address.

Cybercrime Advisory: Stay Alert

Verify Identities: Law enforcement agencies do not demand money over calls or WhatsApp. Always verify the identity of callers claiming to be officials.
Don’t Fall for Threats: Scammers often use intimidation tactics like threats of arrest to manipulate victims. Stay calm and seek legal advice.
Report Suspicions: Use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) to report such incidents immediately.

A Wake-Up Call for All

This incident is a grim reminder of the lengths cybercriminals go to in exploiting vulnerabilities. The victim’s ordeal highlights the importance of public awareness and prompt action against cyber threats.