Summary of this article
Mumbai man lost Rs 9 crore in dating scam.
Fraudster posed as four women over 21 months.
Victim diagnosed with dementia; family alerted police with evidence.
An 80-year-old man in Mumbai lost almost Rs 9 crore in an online dating scam that went on for nearly two years. In 21 months, the octogenarian was cheated out of money in 734 transactions by four women. Police believe the scam was orchestrated by a single individual masquerading as four women.
The fraud began in April 2023 when the man sent a Facebook friend request to a woman called “Sharvi”. She accepted it, and after sometime, they began chatting on WhatsApp. Sharvi told him she was undergoing a split with her husband and required money for her ill children. The man believing what she had said, began transferring money to her routinely.
Soon, another lady called “Kavita” reached out to him, sending personal messages to gain his trust. “Dinaz” came next, claiming she was the sister of Sharvi and told him that Sharvi was dead. She claimed she was also sick and required money. Soon after, another lady called “Jasmine” reached out to him, claiming to be a friend of Dinaz, and also asked for money.
Each of them provided various emotional explanations for money needs, ranging from family crises to medical procedures, and personal issues. They continued to demand money through manipulative techniques, including melodramatic messages and emotional blackmailing. At one point, one of the woman even threatened to commit suicide when the man delayed sending more money.
Between April 2023 and January 2025, the man had already transferred a total of Rs 8.70 crore. When he ran out of savings, he took a loan of Rs 2 lakh from his daughter-in-law and Rs 5 lakh from his son to keep transferring the money. His son became suspicious after observing recurring money movement and questioned him. The old man couldn’t provide satisfactory explanations, and he was later diagnosed with dementia and admitted to a hospital.
The family then reported the case to the police, also presenting messages, transaction records, and call logs in support of the complaint. The police are currently probing the case, whether all the women were indeed a single individual impersonating as four different persons to perpetuate the scam.
The cybercrime cell is trying to track the suspects from the digital footprint available. The family is optimistic that some portion of the lost amount will be recovered and that the culprits will be arrested soon.
How Seniors Can Stay Safe From Online Scam
Cyber criminals open exploit emotional vulnerability while targeting senior citizens
Authorities have time and again cautioned senior citizens with dos and don’ts when interacting with strangers on social media, including not sending money without verification, and for families to keep tabs on the online activities of the elderly to detect early signals of fraud.
