Surat | In yet another alarming case of cyber fraud, a 62-year-old homemaker from Surat lost ₹11.03 lakh after being lured with promises of insurance bonuses and refunds. The accused allegedly posed as officials from insurance grievance bodies, gaining her trust before systematically extracting money. A case has been registered against five individuals, and an investigation is currently underway.
According to the complaint, the victim had purchased an insurance policy in 2018, for which she was paying a monthly premium of ₹10,943. The policy had a tenure of 10 years, and everything was proceeding normally until a phone call in 2021 changed the course of events.
FCRF Returns With CDPO, Its Premier Data Protection Certification for Privacy Professionals
The caller introduced himself as an official from the “Insurance Ombudsman Office, Delhi” and informed her that a bonus of ₹1.75 lakh was pending on her policy. He claimed that in order to receive this bonus, she would need to purchase a few additional policies. To build credibility, the fraudster shared accurate details related to her existing policy, making the interaction appear genuine.
Trusting the caller, the woman agreed to purchase eight new policies under a single-premium scheme. Soon after, she received printed documents of these policies at her residence, which further reinforced her belief that the process was legitimate. However, when the promised bonus was not credited within the expected time, she began to grow suspicious.
Seeking clarity, she approached the insurance regulatory authority, from where she managed to recover payments related to three of the policies. But before the matter could settle, the fraudsters made another move.
On February 26, she received another call—this time from a person claiming to be associated with the “Executive Council of Insurance, Hyderabad.” He assured her that the remaining policy amounts would be refunded and asked her to share copies of the policies along with her bank details via WhatsApp.
What followed was a series of demands under various pretexts such as processing fees, taxes, and administrative charges. Between March 3 and April 2, the victim transferred ₹11.03 lakh in 11 separate transactions. Each time, she was reassured that her refund was being processed and would be credited soon.
In a final attempt to maintain the illusion, the accused sent her a cheque worth ₹17.60 lakh along with an official-looking letter. However, when she deposited the cheque, it bounced. Soon after, all contact with the accused was lost as their phone numbers became unreachable.
Realising that she had been cheated, the woman immediately contacted the cybercrime helpline 1930 and lodged a formal complaint. Authorities have since initiated an investigation, examining digital transaction trails, bank accounts, and call records to trace the accused.
Cybercrime experts note that such scams heavily rely on social engineering techniques. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh explains, “Fraudsters first build trust by using real data and official-sounding language. They then lure victims with promises of bonuses or refunds and gradually extract large sums. Fake documents, spoofed caller IDs, and professional communication make these scams appear highly credible.”
Officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid sharing personal or banking details over unsolicited calls. Extra caution is advised in cases involving offers of bonuses, refunds, or financial gains. Verifying claims through official websites or authorised channels before making any payment is crucial.
This case once again highlights how cybercriminals are evolving their tactics in the digital age, targeting unsuspecting individuals with increasingly sophisticated methods. Awareness and caution remain the strongest defense against such frauds. Authorities are now working to uncover the full extent of the network, with more revelations expected in the coming days.
