A 71-year-old woman from Mumbai has allegedly lost Rs 18.5 lakh in an online scam while trying to place a milk order through a delivery platform. Police confirmed that cyber criminals managed to drain her account within just two days, leaving her completely shocked.
She had been looking online for a way to buy milk when she came across a suspicious link. Assuming it was genuine, she clicked on it and entered her banking details. Soon after, multiple unauthorized transactions began taking place from her account without her knowledge.
Initially, the fraud went unnoticed. But when she started receiving alerts about money being deducted, she immediately approached the police. By then, nearly Rs 18.5 lakh had already been transferred out of her account through fraudulent activities.
Investigators revealed that the scammers used phishing tactics by designing a fake customer support portal. The page closely resembled an authentic delivery platform and tricked the woman into sharing her confidential banking information, making the fraud appear believable.
The cyber police have now registered a case and are tracing the accused through digital footprints and bank records. Officials pointed out that such scams are rising across the city and that elderly citizens are increasingly becoming the main targets of these fraudsters.
Authorities have advised the public to remain extra careful when ordering essentials online. They stressed that payments should only be made through trusted apps or official websites. People were also reminded never to share sensitive details like OTPs, PINs, or account numbers with anyone.
Police further urged families to help guide their elders on safe digital practices. They emphasised that raising awareness is the most effective safeguard against falling victim to these kinds of cyber crimes.
