Cyber Crooks Dupe Elderly Widow of Rs24L by Promising Eid Gift A 61-year-old retired woman from Koradi, Nagpur, has fallen victim to an online fraud scheme, losing approximately Rs24 lakh to cybercriminals who exploited her trust through social media. The incident, which has prompted police action, highlights the growing threat of digital scams targeting vulnerable individuals. According to a complaint lodged at the Cyber Police Station, the victim received a friend request from a person named Aryan on social media on May 21. After accepting the request, the fraudsters gradually built a rapport with her through prolonged conversations. They then fabricated a story about sending an Eid gift from the United Kingdom, claiming the parcel was delayed at Mumbai airport. To justify the delay, the perpetrators introduced themselves as a CBI officer named Sunil and others, demanding various taxes, clearance charges, and courier fees. The fraudsters sent multiple QR codes and bank account details via WhatsApp, coercing the victim to transfer funds in instalments. Over a period spanning early August to August 20, the elderly widow reportedly sent a total of Rs24 lakh. Despite the repeated requests for money, no gift ever arrived, leaving her financially devastated. The police have registered a case under Sections 66(a) and 66(d) of the Information Technology Act, along with other relevant provisions, against Aryan, the fake CBI officer Sunil, Vishal, and Rakesh, who is associated with a private courier service. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities seeking to trace the identities of the accused and recover the stolen funds. This case underscores the increasing sophistication of cybercrime tactics, particularly targeting elderly individuals who may be less familiar with digital security measures.#sunil #rakesh #vishal #aryan #mumbai_airport
