Mumbai “Knee Surgery” Scam: Fake Doctor and Accomplice Booked for Cheating Elderly Woman of Rs 7.2 Lakh
Mumbai "Knee Surgery" Scam: Fake Doctor and Accomplice Booked for Cheating Elderly Woman of Rs 7.2 Lakh
Mumbai police have booked two men, Zaffar Merchant and Vinod Goyal, for allegedly defrauding a senior citizen of Rs 7.2 lakh through a fake knee surgery conducted at her home in Andheri three years ago.
The case dates back to October 22, 2021, when the 61-year-old complainant’s mother, in her late 70s, met Goyal at a dental clinic. Goyal reportedly asked her about her knee pain and claimed his own mother had been cured by a doctor who performed knee surgery at home. He then provided her with the contact details of the “doctor,” identified as Zaffar Merchant from Thane.
According to the police report, the elderly woman contacted Merchant, who visited her home. During the so-called surgery, Merchant made cuts on both her knees, extracted some fluid, and sprinkled turmeric on it, discarding the paper afterward. He repeated the procedure several times, claiming the surgery was successful and demanding Rs 7.2 lakh as a fee, which the family paid in cash.
Despite the “treatment,” the complainant’s mother’s knee pain continued. When the family tried to contact Merchant, his phone was switched off. Goyal also gave evasive responses before cutting off contact.
The family, grieving the loss of two relatives, delayed action. In August 2023, they saw a news report on a similar case involving Merchant and finally filed a complaint. Police suspect the duo may be habitual offenders targeting elderly victims in Mumbai’s western suburbs. Merchant and Goyal are currently on the run. The Oshiwara police have charged them under IPC sections 419 (cheating by impersonation) and 420 (cheating).
