Pune Cyber Fraud: Woman Loses ₹5.5 Lakh While Booking Doctor Appointment Online
Pune Cyber Fraud: 75-Year-Old Doctor Loses ₹12.31 Crore In Investment Scam
Pune, April 6, 2026: A 63-year-old woman from Erandwane in Pune fell victim to a cyber fraud and lost over ₹5.5 lakh while attempting to book an appointment with an ENT specialist online, police officials said.
According to the complaint registered at the Deccan Police Station, the woman had been searching for a doctor due to sinus-related health issues. During her online search, she found a contact number claiming to be associated with a well-known ENT specialist in the city.
Fraudster Posed As Hospital Staff
Police said the woman called the number on March 14, but the call was answered by a cybercriminal posing as hospital staff. The caller asked her to pay a nominal fee of ₹5 via a digital payment app to confirm the appointment.
The fraudster also sent her a link and instructed her to fill in personal and medical details.
Suspicion Raised, But Damage Done
Although the woman completed the ₹5 payment, she soon became suspicious and disconnected the call. However, by then, she had already shared sensitive information through the link.
Multiple Unauthorized Transactions
Over the next few days—March 18, March 28, and March 29—unauthorised transactions were carried out from her bank account. A total of ₹5,54,610 was siphoned off to multiple accounts without her consent.
Police believe that the fraudulent link enabled the आरोपी to gain access to her mobile device and banking credentials.
Police Investigation Underway
An FIR has been registered against unidentified individuals under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
Senior Police Inspector Girisha Nimbalkar is leading the investigation. Authorities are currently tracing the mobile number and bank accounts used in the fraud.
Safety Advisory For Citizens
Police have urged citizens to exercise caution while booking appointments online. Users are advised to verify official contact details, avoid clicking on unknown links, and refrain from sharing personal or banking information with unverified sources.
