Retired Railway Employee Duped of ₹72.9 Lakh by Scammers Posing as Government Officials

Mumbai, March 5, 2025 – A 61-year-old retired railway employee from Matunga became the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber scam, losing a staggering ₹72.9 lakh. The scammers, who posed as government officials, including representatives from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and Delhi Police officers, employed a series of deceitful tactics to carry out the fraudulent scheme.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) filed by the victim, the incident began on December 10, when the victim received a call from a person identifying himself as Arun Kumar, a TRAI representative. The caller informed the retired employee that a SIM card registered under his name had been linked to a financial crime. To further bolster the credibility of the claim, the fraudster even provided a fabricated FIR number, alleging that a police complaint had been lodged in Delhi against the victim.

The caller then directed the victim to contact one “DCP Anil Kumar Sharma,” who falsely assured him that he could help prevent his arrest. Using the threat of money laundering allegations, the scammers pressured the victim into transferring large sums of money over a period of time.

In a series of transactions, the victim transferred a total of ₹72.9 lakh in multiple installments to bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. Once the funds were transferred, the scammers disappeared, leaving the victim with significant financial losses.

The victim, shaken and confused by the ordeal, later reported the matter to the Mumbai Police. The Cyber Cell of Mumbai Police has now registered a case and is actively investigating the fraud.

This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the importance of vigilance in an increasingly digital world. Authorities are urging the public to be cautious when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those claiming to be government representatives, and to always verify information through official channels before taking any action.

The Mumbai Police have advised citizens to report any suspicious activity immediately and to avoid making any financial transactions based on unsolicited phone calls or messages.

As the investigation continues, the authorities have assured that efforts are underway to trace the fraudsters and bring them to justice.