Bengaluru: Elderly woman loses Rs 1.2 crore in massive cyber scam

In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a 77-year-old woman from Bengaluru, Lakshmi Shivakumar, was defrauded of Rs 1.2 crore by criminals posing as officials from the telecom department and the Mumbai Crime Branch. The scam, which unfolded over nearly 20 days, has left the elderly woman and her family in severe distress, both mentally and financially.

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The ordeal began on June 26 when Lakshmi received a call from an unidentified person claiming to be a representative of the Telecom Department. The caller alleged that a SIM card registered in her name was being used for illegal activities in Mumbai. The caller further stated that a complaint had been filed with the Mumbai Crime Branch for investigation.

Hours later, Lakshmi received another call from individuals identifying themselves as Sandeep Rao and Akash Kulhari, supposedly officers from the Mumbai Crime Branch. They falsely accused her of laundering Rs 60 crore and demanded her bank account details and investment proofs for verification. They threatened her with arrest for non-cooperation, presenting a fabricated FIR and an arrest warrant purportedly issued by the Supreme Court to bolster their claims.

Fearing legal repercussions, Lakshmi complied and shared her bank details. The scammers then transferred Rs 1,28,70,000 from her account, assuring her the money would be returned post-investigation. When the calls ceased and she couldn't reach the fraudsters, Lakshmi realized she had been scammed. She informed her family and friends, who urged her to report the incident to the police.

This case highlights the growing threat of cyber fraud and the importance of vigilance in protecting personal information. Authorities are urging citizens to verify the authenticity of such calls and report suspicious activities immediately.