MUMBAI: A 79-year-old woman from Mumbai’s Kandivali area lost ₹21 lakh in a meticulously executed online scam that began with an innocuous puzzle game advertisement and spiralled into repeated monetary demands under the guise of a ₹10 crore prize.
Kripa Rupanarayan Bhat, a resident of Charkop, came across a social media ad in April promoting a puzzle game. After completing the online game and submitting her details, she was informed by an alleged representative of the game’s organisers that she had won ₹10 crore. However, to process the winnings, she was asked to pay various fees, including registration, legal, and transfer charges.
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Prolonged Payments Without Any Returns
The victim, trusting the representative and driven by the promised windfall, began transferring money to various bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Between April 28 and July 21, she made multiple transactions totalling ₹21 lakh. Each time she paid, she was told it was the final step before receiving the ₹10 crore. The scammers sent her emails, fake documents, and even fabricated government clearances to gain her trust and keep the illusion going.
On July 24, however, Bhat received a message stating that the game was being discontinued and the promised amount would not be transferred. The contact numbers and email IDs she had used to communicate with the perpetrators were deactivated shortly thereafter.
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Initially reluctant to disclose the incident out of embarrassment, Bhat eventually confided in a friend who urged her to file a complaint. A case has now been registered under the Information Technology Act and sections related to cheating under the Indian Penal Code. Mumbai Police’s cyber cell is investigating the digital trail, examining bank accounts and communication data to identify the accused.
This case adds to a growing list of cybercrimes targeting senior citizens, who often become victims of scams involving fake lotteries, investments, and prize winnings. Authorities continue to caution the public against clicking on suspicious ads or making payments to claim rewards, stressing that no legitimate offer requires money to be paid upfront.