MUMBAI: A gang of cyber fraudsters defrauded a 70-year-old widow of Rs 93 lakh in a parcel scam recently. The prime accused posed as a pilot from the UK having a 10-year–old daughter and built an emotional connect with the complainant, who is childless. All her savings set aside for her medical and daily needs were wiped out in the scam. The Cyber Police have registered a case of cheating.
The complainant is a retired teacher. After her husband’s death, she sold their property in north India and purchased two houses in Maharashtra. She kept the rest of her savings in a bank.
In Oct 2024, one Ashwin reached out to her over Facebook. The complainant recollected that he had met her husband during their London trip in the past, but she did not know him personally. Ashwin claimed to be a pilot with a UK based airline and shared his WhatsApp number. His display picture was in pilot uniform.
Ashwin claimed that he had toured several countries and was an Oxford University grad. He said he lived at Reading in the UK and his daughter, Jane, was looked after by his parents after his wife passed away in a car crash.
After chatting with the complainant for a few days and building an emotional bond with her, Ashwin told her he had sent her a gift containing jewellery, bags, a make-up kit, chocolates, watches, a smartphone, tablet and foreign currency. The widow initially refused but he told that the parcel had reached India. A woman named Bhavna from the “Customs department” reached out to her and asked for fees to claim the parcel. Later, she accused the complainant of money laundering as the parcel contained foreign currency.
She directed the complainant to a “freight services” employee Mark Gupta. Over a period of time, Gupta sent her a number of fake documents such as anti-drug/ terrorist clearance form, certificate of legality, justice affidavit letter, anti-money laundering certificate among others. The documents had signatures and stamps on them which convinced the complainant about their authenticity. Frightened, she agreed to transfer money to get the parcel cleared.
She paid Rs 93 lakh to different bank accounts provided by the accused. After realising that she had been taken for a ride, she contacted Cyber Police helpline at 1930 and lodged a complaint online. Subsequently an FIR was registered on Jan 1.
The complainant is a retired teacher. After her husband’s death, she sold their property in north India and purchased two houses in Maharashtra. She kept the rest of her savings in a bank.
In Oct 2024, one Ashwin reached out to her over Facebook. The complainant recollected that he had met her husband during their London trip in the past, but she did not know him personally. Ashwin claimed to be a pilot with a UK based airline and shared his WhatsApp number. His display picture was in pilot uniform.
Ashwin claimed that he had toured several countries and was an Oxford University grad. He said he lived at Reading in the UK and his daughter, Jane, was looked after by his parents after his wife passed away in a car crash.
After chatting with the complainant for a few days and building an emotional bond with her, Ashwin told her he had sent her a gift containing jewellery, bags, a make-up kit, chocolates, watches, a smartphone, tablet and foreign currency. The widow initially refused but he told that the parcel had reached India. A woman named Bhavna from the “Customs department” reached out to her and asked for fees to claim the parcel. Later, she accused the complainant of money laundering as the parcel contained foreign currency.
She directed the complainant to a “freight services” employee Mark Gupta. Over a period of time, Gupta sent her a number of fake documents such as anti-drug/ terrorist clearance form, certificate of legality, justice affidavit letter, anti-money laundering certificate among others. The documents had signatures and stamps on them which convinced the complainant about their authenticity. Frightened, she agreed to transfer money to get the parcel cleared.
She paid Rs 93 lakh to different bank accounts provided by the accused. After realising that she had been taken for a ride, she contacted Cyber Police helpline at 1930 and lodged a complaint online. Subsequently an FIR was registered on Jan 1.
