Pune: Woman In Koregaon Park Loses Rs 2 Crore To Drug Parcel Scam

A 69-year-old woman from a prominent business family in Koregaon Park fell victim to cybercrooks posing as Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officials, losing Rs 2.08 crore in a parcel fraud scam. The fraudsters coerced her into transferring the money to various bank accounts between April 26 and May 6, 2024, under the pretext of hushing up a fictitious narcotics case.

According to the FIR filed with the cyber police, the scammers claimed that a case had been registered against the woman under the Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, citing an intercepted parcel bound for Iran containing contraband linked to her name. Posing as NCB officials, they threatened her and manipulated her into making multiple transfers to avoid arrest.

The victim, living alone, did not consult her family members and fell prey to the fraudsters’ tactics. They coerced her into divulging personal details and initiated large transfers, ranging from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 45 lakh per day, over the span of seven days. Fortunately, she became suspicious after reading about parcel frauds and sought help from her daughter and son-in-law, who then approached the cyber police.

Police revealed that the cyber police froze all involved accounts, managing to retain only Rs 24,000. Investigations into similar cases uncovered a pattern where fraudsters withdrew cash from ATMs in Dubai, complicating efforts to trace the money trail. Despite challenges in tracking down the culprits, authorities continue to work on legal action against those involved.

This incident highlights the prevalence of parcel frauds targeting unsuspecting individuals, with victims collectively losing significant amounts to cybercriminals. The use of money mule accounts and cryptocurrencies further complicates efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, underscoring the need for increased vigilance and awareness among the public.