Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Retired LIC Officer Loses ₹99 Lakh in Sophisticated Cyber Scam Using FM's Name
Imagine someone called you pretending to be from the police or a government agency.
They might even show you a fake paper that looks like an arrest warrant with a famous person's name on it.
They'd tell you that you did something wrong with your money and that you need to move all your savings to a special account for 'verification' to avoid getting arrested.
A retired lady believed these scary stories.
She gave almost a crore of rupees to these fake officials because she thought she was in big trouble.
But it was all a lie to steal her money.
Now, the real police are trying to find these tricksters.
A retired LIC officer in Pune was scammed out of ₹99 lakh by fraudsters.
Scammers impersonated officials from the Data Protection Agency and posed as a senior police officer.
They used fake arrest warrants, supposedly signed by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and threatened digital arrest.
The victim was coerced into transferring her money for alleged 'RBI verification' to avoid arrest.
The Pune Cyber Police are investigating the scam, which is suspected to be operated by a gang from Thane.
- Who
- A retired LIC officer and cybercriminals posing as officials from the Data Protection Agency and police.
- What
- The retired LIC officer was defrauded of Rs 99 lakh through a sophisticated cyber scam involving impersonation, fake arrest warrants, and threats.
- When
- The scam occurred in October. Police investigation is ongoing.
- Where
- The victim is from Pune, Maharashtra. The scam operation is suspected to be in Thane, near Mumbai.
- Why
- Scammers falsely accused the victim of financial crimes and money laundering, threatening arrest and demanding money for 'RBI verification' to extort Rs 99 lakh.
Scammers' Claim
Reality
Involvement in Financial Scam
Scammers' Claim
The victim was accused of illegal financial transactions and money laundering linked to her Aadhaar-linked mobile number.
Reality
The victim was targeted by scammers who fabricated accusations to extort money.
Threat of Arrest and Digital Arrest
Scammers' Claim
Scammers presented a fake arrest warrant with Nirmala Sitharaman's signature and claimed 'digital arrest' due to age.
Reality
The arrest warrant and the concept of 'digital arrest' were fabricated to intimidate the victim.
Purpose of Fund Transfer
Scammers' Claim
The victim was told to transfer her money for RBI verification.
Reality
The money was transferred to bank accounts controlled by the scammers for personal gain.
Identity of Callers
Scammers' Claim
Callers claimed to be from the Data Protection Agency and a senior police officer, George Mathew.
Reality
The callers were cybercriminals operating a sophisticated scam.
- Victim Profile
- Retired LIC Officer
- Amount Lost
- ₹99 Lakh (approximately ₹99,00,000)
- Location of Scam Operation
- Thane, near Mumbai (suspected)
- Modus Operandi
- Impersonation of government officials (Data Protection Agency, Police), fake arrest warrants, digital threats, fabricated financial scam accusations.
- Fake Documents
- Fabricated arrest warrant with fake signatures of FM Nirmala Sitharaman and a government seal.
- Alleged Agencies Impersonated
- Data Protection Agency (DPA), Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Police
- Police Action
- Pune Cyber Police investigation underway, tracking bank accounts and mobile numbers.
Sources
Mumbai Cyber Fraud: Retired L&T Executive And Advocate Duped Of ₹9.94 Crore In Massive Online Trading Scam; Case Registered
Fraudsters Exploit FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s Name, Retired LIC Officer Loses ₹99 Lakh In Sophisticated Cyber Scam
