An 82-year-old woman from the Sindiket area of Kalyan West was allegedly defrauded of Rs 73.30 lakh after fraudsters, posing as investigation agency officials, frightened her with claims of a terror connection and persuaded her to transfer her savings into bank accounts they described as secure.
The incident took place between April 6 and April 10, 2026, and involved Rohini Chandrakant Kulkarni, according to the information visible in the screenshots.
How the fraud was set in motion
The alleged scheme began on April 6, when the woman received a phone call from a person identified as Vijay Khanna. He introduced himself as an investigating officer and claimed that her mobile number had been found with a Pakistani terrorist allegedly involved in the Pahalgam attack. She was also told that her name had surfaced in suspicious financial transactions linked to that terrorist.
The screenshots state that the woman was kept under pressure through repeated calls and WhatsApp messages. Using the pretext of an official inquiry and the need for her cooperation, the callers allegedly created an atmosphere resembling a digital arrest and steadily increased psychological pressure on her.
Money moved in the name of account verification
The fraudsters allegedly told the woman that, for scrutiny of her bank accounts, the money would have to be shifted temporarily to safe accounts. To gain her confidence, details of different bank accounts were reportedly shared with her.
Amid fear and confusion, the woman transferred a total of Rs 73.30 lakh between April 6 and April 10 through RTGS and online transactions. The screenshots say the transfers were made after she was led to believe the money needed to be secured as part of the verification process.
Complaint filed after family was informed
The matter came to light after the woman later informed her family members about what had happened. A complaint was then lodged at Mahatma Phule Chowk police station in Kalyan.
Police have registered a case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. The investigation is being carried out under the leadership of Police Inspector Vijay Naik, according to the screenshots.
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.
