Fake Money Laundering Scam Targets Elderly Retiree, Two Arrested
Authorities in the North Cyber Police department have detained two individuals from Vasai linked to a digital fraud scheme targeting a 67-year-old retired woman from Malad.
Incident Overview
Authorities in the North Cyber Police department have detained two individuals from Vasai linked to a digital fraud scheme targeting a 67-year-old retired woman from Malad. The suspect duo, identified as Ratan Kanaram, 24, and Ramesh Ghewaram Mall, 35, allegedly orchestrated a deception that resulted in the victim losing ₹41.5 lakh through a prolonged campaign of intimidation and fabricated evidence.
Fraud Scheme Details
The Initial Call
The incident began on April 8 when the woman received a call from an international number. The caller claimed her name was associated with a money laundering investigation involving an ICICI Bank account holding ₹2.5 crore.
Escalation of the Ruse
The fraudsters escalated the ruse by initiating a video call with an individual in a police uniform, who alleged the victim’s account was tied to illicit activities. This fabricated narrative was used to pressure the woman into transferring funds.
Coercion and Falsified Documents
Over the period from April 9 to April 23, the victim and her husband were coerced into liquidating fixed deposits and transferring money from multiple bank accounts into accounts provided by the perpetrators. The fraudsters reportedly supplied falsified bank statements and documents resembling official government records to bolster their claims.
Investigation and Arrests
The victim was instructed to maintain secrecy, with threats suggesting disclosure could endanger her safety. The scheme persisted through repeated video calls until April 26. A relative later raised suspicions about the woman’s involvement in a cyber fraud operation, prompting an investigation. Police traced the fraudulent activity to the two suspects, who had allegedly provided bank accounts to cybercriminals for routing illicit funds.
Current Status and Ongoing Efforts
The case remains under active scrutiny as authorities seek to identify additional participants and track the movement of the stolen money.
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