HIGHLIGHTS

A retired consultant from Bandra West fell victim to a sophisticated cyber scam that cost her Rs 1.75 crore.

The scam was initiated with a deceptive phone call from an impersonator claiming to be Ritu Sharma of DHL Courier.

The caller created a sense of urgency by mentioning serious crimes linked to a parcel sent in her name.

In a harrowing turn of events, a retired consultant from Bandra West in Mumbai has lost a staggering sum of Rs 1.75 crore to a well-orchestrated cyber fraud. At the age of 60, the woman thought she was dealing with a legitimate matter concerning a parcel, only to discover that she had been swindled out of her savings through a sophisticated scam.

The incident began on October 14, 2024, when the victim received a phone call from someone identifying themselves as Ritu Sharma, an authorised representative of DHL Courier in Delhi. The caller informed her that a parcel addressed to her had been sent to Bangkok, loaded with items including a high-end laptop, 140 grams of MDMA (a prohibited drug), five illicit passports, and several credit cards. To heighten the drama, the caller alluded to serious allegations of child trafficking, money laundering, and drug smuggling, thus creating an aura of panic and urgency.

For further insights, you can read: A man loses Rs 13 lakh in a hotel booking scam: Here’s how it happened and strategies to prevent such frauds.

Despite her protests and claims of having no involvement in such activities, the woman was told that her Know Your Customer (KYC) information had been misappropriated. The caller urged her to transfer 90 percent of her finances into an RBI account for verification to resolve the matter quickly, as reported by the Times of India (TOI). Trusting the authority of the caller, the unsuspecting victim proceeded to transfer substantial amounts of money through Real-Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) to various bank accounts that the scammer had specified.

Over the course of several transactions, the woman ended up transferring an alarming total of Rs 1.75 crore, all under the mistaken belief that she was assisting law enforcement officials. It was only after these transfers that she began to realize she had fallen prey to a scam, and the entirety of her money had vanished into the hands of the fraudsters.

For more related stories, read: A retired bank manager loses Rs 20 lakh in a fraud scheme involving fake stock experts: Learn how to avoid such scams.

Precautionary measures to prevent becoming a victim of scams

• Verify Caller Identity: Always take the extra step to confirm the identity of anyone claiming to represent an official organization. Use verified contact numbers for the institution to reach out directly.
• Be Cautious of Unsolicited Calls: Scammers thrive on creating a sense of urgency and invoking fear. If you receive a call requesting your money or personal information, it is best to hang up and verify the situation through official channels.
• Never Disclose Sensitive Information: Do not share your KYC information, passwords, or any personal details over the phone, especially if the request raises any suspicions.
• Report Suspicious Activities: If you believe you have encountered a scam, report the incident to law enforcement or your bank without delay. Taking prompt action can significantly mitigate potential losses.