Retired IIT Bombay Medical Officer Falls Victim to Rs 4.62 Crore Cyber Fraud as Two Arrested

Mumbai Doctor Falls Victim to Cyber Fraud

Incident Overview

A retired medical officer from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay has become a victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme, reportedly coerced into transferring Rs 4.62 crore under the threat of action from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) related to a fabricated money laundering case. The 74-year-old doctor was targeted through impersonation and digital intimidation, highlighting the increasing vulnerability of senior healthcare professionals to organized cybercrime.

How the Fraud Unfolded

The case emerged when the retired medical officer approached the police after realizing that she had been deceived into prematurely withdrawing her life savings, which included fixed and recurring deposits accrued over several months. According to reports from NDTV, the fraudulent activity commenced with a video call from an individual impersonating a telecom department official. This was followed by a second caller posing as a senior IPS officer, who falsely claimed that her Aadhaar card had been misused to establish a bank account linked to transactions amounting to nearly Rs 6 crore, purportedly associated with money laundering.

Pressure and Financial Loss

Under immense pressure and fear of potential legal repercussions, the retired medical officer transferred Rs 4.62 crore between October 2025 and January 2026 to several bank accounts provided by the cybercriminals. Once she recognized the threats as fraudulent, she filed a formal complaint with law enforcement.

Police Investigation

As reported by NDTV, the initial investigation was registered for cheating by impersonation and violations under the Information Technology Act. The case has since been transferred to the Western Region Cyber Cell of the Mumbai Police for a more thorough investigation.

During the investigation, police traced the financial transactions and identified two individuals who allegedly opened and provided multiple bank accounts to the cybercrime syndicate. According to police officials, the accused withdrew the deposited sums and passed the money to the cybercriminals in exchange for a commission. Following these discoveries, the cyber cell has arrested both individuals, and further investigation is ongoing.

Related Cases

This incident is not isolated; it follows reports of similar fraud cases affecting medical professionals. For instance, a Kochi doctor was defrauded of Rs 37 lakh in a matrimonial scam, resulting in three arrests. Additionally, a Kerala doctor was duped of Rs 10.5 lakh in a fake money laundering scheme, leading to the arrest of the accused.