A 43-year-old woman from Vashi was allegedly cheated of Rs 61.49 lakh by a cyber gang that lured her with the promise of closing an old insurance policy and refunding the invested amount along with bonuses, according to police.
Caller Posed as NPCI Official
Police said the fraud began in July 2025 when the woman was contacted by a person posing as an official from the NPCI office. The caller allegedly won her confidence by sharing accurate details of her old Bharti AXA insurance policy, including the policy number.
Investigators said the fraudsters then told her that the policy could be closed and the paid amount refunded. They allegedly sought money on several pretexts, including generating an agent code, obtaining a BTC code and processing cash conversion to release the refund.
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Forged Emails Used to Build Trust
To make the process appear genuine, the accused allegedly sent emails containing forged forms carrying the logos of the Insurance Ombudsman and NPCI. Trusting those communications, the woman transferred a total of Rs 61.49 lakh over a period of time, police said.
The fraud came to light only after no refund was received even after a long wait. When the accused began avoiding her calls and delaying responses, she realised she had been cheated and approached the cyber police.
Case Registered, Advisory Issued
Police said a case has been registered against the cyber gang under Sections 318(4), 319(2) and 336(2)(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil is investigating the case.
Police also issued an advisory asking citizens not to trust unsolicited calls related to financial matters and to verify such claims through authorised offices. In case of fraud, citizens have been asked to immediately contact the cyber helpline 1930 or the nearest cyber police station.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
