Elderly Man Falls Victim to Massive Digital Fraud Involving Four Women
Overview of the Fraud Case
An 80-year-old man has been swindled out of 90 million rupees by four women, marking one of the largest digital fraud cases in the country. Following the revelation of this scam, the elderly man's health has deteriorated, leading to his hospitalization. The incident began in April 2023 when he befriended a woman named Sharavi on Facebook. Their conversations quickly escalated, and after exchanging WhatsApp numbers, they communicated frequently. Sharavi claimed to be separated from her husband and living with her children, often requesting financial assistance for their illnesses.
The Escalation of the Scam
While this was ongoing, another woman named Kavita reached out to the elderly man via WhatsApp. She mentioned her friendship with Sharavi and expressed her desire to befriend him as well. Kavita also began sending provocative messages and soliciting money under the pretext of her children's health issues. The situation intensified when, in December 2023, he received a message from an international number. The woman, identifying herself as Dinaz, claimed to be Sharavi's sister and stated that Sharavi had passed away, requesting funds for her hospital expenses.
Threats and Further Demands
When the elderly man asked for his money back, Dinaz threatened him, saying, 'I will take my life, and you will be implicated.' She even shared WhatsApp screenshots of conversations between Sharavi and the elderly man, further manipulating him into sending money. Despite having already lost 87 million rupees, the women's demands did not cease. Eventually, the elderly man borrowed 200,000 rupees from his daughter-in-law to send to them.
The Revelation of the Scam
The situation came to light when the elderly man requested 500,000 rupees from his son to repay the women. His son, suspicious, inquired about the need for such a large sum and where the money was going. Upon hearing his father's story, the son realized that his father had been scammed. The fraud persisted for nearly two years, from April 2023 to January 2025, involving a staggering 734 transactions. The elderly man’s health has since declined, with doctors diagnosing him with dementia due to the stress of the situation.