Mumbai Sees Alarming 290% Surge in Cyber Frauds: Woman Duped of Rs 7 Lakh in Latest Scam

Cyber fraud incidents in Mumbai are on the rise, with scammers using increasingly sophisticated tactics to deceive residents. The latest case involves a 33-year-old woman from Vikhroli, who was tricked into transferring Rs 7 lakh to fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials.

According to reports, the victim received a call at work from an unknown number, which claimed there was a fraudulent transaction on her credit card. She was instructed to press a number to connect to an alleged RBI official. The call was then transferred to another person, who posed as a Hyderabad police officer. The scammer accused her of being involved in money laundering through a Canara Bank account opened in her name by a man named Naresh Goyal.

To make the scam appear more convincing, the fraudsters made a video call, showing a man in police uniform, and threatened her with arrest. In a state of panic, the woman booked a hotel room as directed and transferred Rs 6.91 lakh across multiple accounts to avoid being "arrested." It was only later that she realized she had been duped and reported the crime to the police.

In another similar case, a man named Mohit from Borivali was scammed out of Rs 95 lakh by fraudsters who lured him into false stock market investment schemes. The scammers added him to a WhatsApp group promising high returns. When Mohit attempted to withdraw his profits, the fraudsters demanded additional tax payments, revealing the fraud.

Cyber Fraud Cases Skyrocket by 290%

According to Mumbai's Cyber Cell, cyber fraud cases have increased by a staggering 290% in 2024 compared to the previous year. In the first 11 months of 2024 alone, fraudsters managed to steal Rs 1,092 crore, a sharp rise from Rs 262 crore in 2023. Despite prompt action during the critical two-hour "golden window" after a fraud is reported, only Rs 136 crore—13% of the total stolen—was recovered.

Since the launch of the 1930 cybercrime helpline in May 2022, Mumbai has seen a total of Rs 1,386.35 crore in cyber frauds. The city has received over 5.74 lakh calls and recorded more than 72,000 complaints. In response, the Mumbai Police, in partnership with the Department of Telecommunications, has blocked 31,000 mobile numbers linked to these scams.

Common Cyber Fraud Tactics on the Rise

Cybercriminals in Mumbai are employing a range of tactics to deceive victims. Investment scams and digital arrest scams have emerged as the most prevalent types. In investment scams, victims are lured via platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram, with promises of high returns, only to later discover they have been swindled. In digital arrest scams, fraudsters impersonate law enforcement officials, accusing victims of serious crimes such as money laundering in an attempt to extort money.

Mumbai Police Combatting Cybercrime

To combat this rising threat, the Mumbai Police have ramped up efforts, conducting 310 training sessions for over 8,000 officers in the last 2.5 years. Additionally, the force has launched more than 643 public awareness campaigns, including street plays and hoardings, reaching more than 3 lakh students.

Expert Insights and Safety Tips

Dutta Nalawade, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai Cyber Cell, emphasized the importance of quick reporting, stating, "We initiate investigations immediately after receiving complaints. Timely reporting within two hours can prevent the transfer of funds. It is crucial for the public to stay alert and avoid falling prey to these scams."

Cyber expert Prashant Mali also advised vigilance and said, "If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Avoid clicking on suspicious links and report any cybercrime promptly to the helpline."

Essential Safety Tips:

• Keep social media profiles private.
• Use strong, unique passwords.
• Set transaction limits on debit/credit cards.
• Report fraud immediately via the 1930 helpline or cybercrime.gov.in.


Cybercrime in Mumbai continues to be a growing concern, highlighting the need for constant vigilance, public awareness, and quick reporting to prevent further losses.