Mumbai Cyber Fraud: Elderly Resident Duped Of ₹2.21 Crore In Provident Fund Verification Scam; Police Struggle To Tackle Growing Cases
Mumbai: Cyber fraud cases in Mumbai show no signs of slowing down. In a recent incident, an elderly resident of Nana Chowk in Mumbai Central was duped of Rs 2.21 crore by fraudsters posing as Provident Fund managers and verification officers.
The South Cyber Cell has registered a case and launched an investigation, but no arrests have been made yet, and the defrauded amount remains untraced.
This is not the first time Mumbaikars have fallen prey to such scams. Cyber criminals often outsmart the city police by swiftly transferring stolen funds through a complex network of bank accounts—many of which are rented—making the money trail almost impossible to follow.
By the time investigators reach the initial bank account, the funds have already been laundered through hundreds of accounts and converted into cryptocurrency, eventually landing in the hands of masterminds operating from countries like Dubai and Cambodia.
Over the years, lakhs of cyber fraud cases have been reported in Mumbai. Investigations have revealed that scammers operate through a well-organized syndicate, which includes sleeper cells, hundreds of rented bank accounts, and the use of cryptocurrency to transfer funds internationally. Despite efforts, Mumbai Police and its cyber unit have so far failed to dismantle these elaborate fraud networks.
How the Scam Works: A 13-Layer Maze
Typically, scammers use up to 13 layers of bank accounts to obfuscate the money trail. Here's how the process unfolds:
Layer 1: The scammer’s account where the stolen amount initially lands. Within 10 minutes, the amount is broken up and transferred to multiple accounts in Layer 2 to evade police detection.
Layer 2 to 5: Each subsequent layer contains more bank accounts, and the money is divided into increasingly smaller amounts to avoid tracking.
Layers 6 to 13: The number of accounts in each layer increases significantly. Ultimately, the money is broken into micro amounts and converted into cryptocurrency, reaching operatives in Dubai or Cambodia.
This layered approach makes it extremely difficult for investigators to trace or recover the stolen funds. By the time a complaint is registered, the money has already crossed several digital checkpoints.
Four-Year Data Reveals Grim Reality
Mumbai Police data paints a bleak picture. Over the last four years, cyber frauds in the city have amounted to Rs 1,865 crore, but only Rs 243 crore has been recovered. Experts blame two key factors:
1. Delayed Reporting: Many victims don’t file timely complaints with their local police or fail to contact the 1930 Cyber Helpline during the golden hours of the fraud.
2. Manpower Shortage: Mumbai’s cyber crime unit is currently understaffed and has not had a full-time Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the past 1.5 years. Officers from other departments are handling the charge temporarily, despite several DCPs waiting for postings in Mumbai.
Year-Wise Statistics from Cyber Helpline 1930:
Year Total calls Cases Registered
2022 17672 3368
2023 91357 18256
2024 583779 60851
2025 324594 19549
Till 16 April)
Amount Defrauded Amount Recovered
Rs 32.35 Crore Rs 1.58 Crore
Rs 262 Crore Rs 26.52 Crore
Rs 1200 Crore Rs 160 Crore
Rs 336 Crore Rs 54.97 Crore
Preventive Measures to Avoid Cyber Frauds:
1. If you fall victim to a cyber fraud, immediately call the 1930 Cyber Helpline.
2. Never share your bank account, debit, or credit card information with anyone.
3. Avoid clicking on unknown links or websites.
4. Protect your devices using updated antivirus software.
As cybercrime continues to grow into one of the largest criminal threats in Mumbai, authorities urge citizens to remain vigilant and report incidents promptly to curb losses.
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