Online Scam Targets Mumbai Actress, Authorities Warn Citizens of Similar Frauds

A 26-year-old Mumbai actress fell victim to a sophisticated online scam, losing 6.5 lakh rupees to individuals impersonating Airtel executives and Delhi Police officers. The scammers, using fake documents from the Supreme Court, threatened to arrest and seize her passport if she did not pay the demanded amount. The actress, after realizing she had been conned, reported the incident to the Cyber Helpline and the Oshiwara Police Station, prompting authorities to initiate an investigation.

Key Takeaways:

• The scam began with a call from an unknown number claiming to be from Airtel's customer service, stating the actress's SIM card would be blocked due to "illegal activities."
• The impostor transferred the call to a video call with a man posing as a police officer, who asked the actress to verify her Aadhaar card and allegedly sent her fake documents from the Supreme Court.
• The scammers demanded 6,50,000 rupees to avoid legal action, which the actress transferred through an RTGS from her account to a Bank account in the name of Suklal Dhangad.
• After discovering the scam, the actress checked the number on a caller identification app and found it flagged as a scam.
• Police have initiated an investigation into the fraud and are tracing the individuals behind the fake Delhi Police and Airtel identities.
• Authorities have urged citizens to be cautious of similar online scams and to verify any calls claiming to be from government agencies or telecom companies before sharing personal or financial information.
• The actress has not been named, but her age and residence in Jogeshwari, Mumbai, have been mentioned.
• The incident highlights the growing threat of online scams targeting individuals in India.

Statistics:

• 6.5 lakh rupees: The amount the actress lost in the online scam.
• 6 hours: The duration the scam lasted from the initial call to the transfer of the demanded amount.
• 1: The number of individuals involved in the scam, according to the police investigation.
• 1930: The number of the Cyber Helpline that the actress used to report the incident.
• 2025: The year the incident occurred, as mentioned in the FIR.

Sources:

• "Cyber Crime: Actress duped of Rs 6.5 lakh by con men posing as Airtel employees and Delhi Police officers." Indian National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd.
• "Mumbai Actress Loses 6.5 Lakh to Online Scam; Police Launch Investigation." Contify.com, Indian National Press (Bombay) Pvt. Ltd.