In yet another alarming case of cyber fraud targeting vulnerable citizens, a 71-year-old woman from Mumbai lost her life savings of ₹18.5 lakh while attempting to place a simple order for milk through an online delivery application. The incident has sparked renewed concerns over the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals and the rising number of digital scams across India.
The Deceptive Link Trap
According to police reports, the fraud took place on August 4, when the victim, a resident of Wadala, received a phone call from a man who introduced himself as “Deepak,” claiming to be an official from the milk company. The caller sent her a link via text message, directing her to use it to place her milk order.
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The caller instructed the woman to remain on the phone while clicking on the link and to follow his step-by-step guidance. The call lasted for over an hour, during which the fraudster quietly extracted sensitive information. Frustrated by the lengthy conversation, the woman eventually disconnected the call. However, the following day, she received another call from the same person, who extracted further details from her.
Life Savings Wiped Out
The scam only came to light when the woman later visited her bank and discovered that ₹1.7 lakh had been withdrawn from one of her accounts. Further investigation revealed that her other two accounts had also been emptied. In total, she had lost ₹18.5 lakh, her entire savings.
Police said the cybercriminals gained unauthorized access to her phone after she clicked on the fraudulent link, enabling them to hack her device and siphon funds. A case has been registered, and investigations are underway to trace the accused.
The incident underscores the dangers of clicking on unverified links and highlights how cybercriminals are increasingly targeting elderly citizens, who may be less aware of the risks of online fraud. Authorities have urged people to remain vigilant, avoid sharing personal or banking details over the phone, and verify any suspicious calls with official company channels.