Online Scammers Dupe 82-Year-Old Man of ₹45 Lakh in Fake Lottery and Coin Exchange Frauds

Navi Mumbai: Senior Citizen Falls Victim to Dual Cyber Scams

In a shocking case of cyber fraud from Navi Mumbai’s Kharghar area, an 82-year-old man was cheated out of ₹45 lakh through two separate online scams. The elderly victim, a resident of Sector 20, fell prey to fraudsters who lured him with promises of large returns for exchanging old coins and currency notes, and later tricked him with a fake lottery win.

Though the incidents occurred between November 2023 and February 2025, the complaint was delayed due to the victim’s deteriorating health. A formal complaint was eventually registered through the NCRB portal on June 17, 2025.

First Scam: Old Coin Exchange Promise

The first fraud unfolded between November 2023 and January 2024. The scammers contacted the senior citizen, claiming they could get him ₹2.98 crore in exchange for his old five-rupee coins and notes. Enticed by the massive payout, the elderly man shared his banking details. Over time, the fraudsters siphoned off ₹8.7 lakh from his account in the name of processing and handling charges.

Second Scam: Fake Lottery Trap

Between November 2024 and February 2025, the man was targeted again—this time with a fake lottery offer. He was told he had won a massive jackpot but had to pay a processing fee to claim the prize. Believing the offer to be legitimate, the victim transferred ₹37 lakh to the scammers in multiple transactions. As expected, the promised lottery prize never arrived.

Delayed Complaint Due to Health Issues

According to Kharghar Police Station's Senior Inspector Deepak Surve, the victim’s poor health delayed the filing of a complaint. Once his condition stabilized, he used the NCRB’s cybercrime reporting portal to lodge the case.

The police have since registered a formal FIR and named 11 individuals as accused in the case. An investigation is underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

Elderly Becoming Easy Targets for Cyber Criminals

This case highlights a growing trend where elderly individuals—often less familiar with digital systems—are being targeted by cybercriminals using emotionally manipulative tactics. Whether it's the lure of a fake lottery or deceptive investment schemes involving historical currency, fraudsters are exploiting the trust and lack of digital awareness among senior citizens.

Experts urge families to educate older members about the risks of online scams and encourage them to verify any such claims with authorities or family before taking financial action.

Public Advisory: Stay Alert Against Fraudulent Offers

The incident serves as a stark reminder to the public to remain cautious about unsolicited financial offers online. Here are a few quick tips to avoid falling into similar traps:

• Never share bank or personal details with unknown callers or websites.

• Be skeptical of "too good to be true" schemes such as lottery wins or high returns.

• Report suspicious messages or calls to cybercrime authorities immediately.

• Verify any claims through official channels before making any payments.

Conclusion: A Call for Stronger Digital Literacy and Cyber Vigilance

As digital crimes continue to rise, particularly targeting vulnerable age groups, this case underlines the urgent need for wider cyber safety awareness and quick-response mechanisms. With investigations ongoing, authorities hope to bring the accused to justice and set a precedent for stricter action against online financial fraud.