Love, Lies and 734 Transactions: 80-Year-Old Loses Fortune to Cyber Fraud

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): An 80-year-old man from Mumbai lost nearly Rs 8.7 crore in a sophisticated online scam that spanned 21 months. The scam involved four women - Sharvi, Kavita, Dinaaz and Jasmine - who the police suspect might actually be the same person manipulating the elderly man through affection, emotional blackmail and deceit.

How the Scam Unfolded

It began in April 2023 when the man connected with Sharvi on Facebook. She claimed to be separated from her husband and sought money for her children's medical expenses. Over time, the other women contacted him via WhatsApp, each asking for financial help under different pretexts. The scam escalated when Dinaaz told the man Sharvi had died and demanded money for hospital bills, threatening suicide if he refused.

Impact and Action Taken

The man made 734 transactions, exhausting his savings and borrowing money from family members. Upon realizing he'd fallen prey to cyber fraud, he suffered severe shock, was hospitalized and diagnosed with dementia. A cybercrime complaint was filed on July 22, 2025, and investigations are underway.