A 71-year-old woman from Wadala, Mumbai, became a victim of an elaborate online fraud while trying to place a simple order for one litre of milk. Scammers executed a sophisticated cyber-attack that resulted in the theft of an astonishing INR 18.5 lakh from her bank accounts. The local police have initiated a full-scale investigation into the incident.
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From Milk to Massive Loss
The ordeal began when the elderly woman clicked a link—purportedly part of the milk-ordering process—that was, in reality, malicious. Immediately following the click, fraudsters gained unauthorised access to her financial data. Within moments, large sums were transferred from her accounts without her awareness. Such seamless execution suggests a high level of planning and technical skill by the perpetrators.
A Growing Horror in Digital Transactions
This case underscores the growing vulnerability of senior citizens in the digital economy—particularly when they engage in seemingly trivial online activities. Fraudsters frequently exploit trust and confusion, leveraging basic digital behaviours to execute high-impact scams. The police are urging families of elderly users to stay vigilant and to guide loved ones about the dangers of clicking on unknown links, even when they appear legitimate.
Police Probe and Cyber Awareness
Authorities have begun tracing the digital trail and monitoring suspicious fund transfers. Investigators are also coordinating with cybercrime units to identify the source of the phishing link and link it back to criminal networks. Meanwhile, public advisories have emphasised the importance of verifying URLs, not entering bank or UPI details via forwarded messages, and seeking help at the first sign of irregular activity.
