In another cyber fraud case, a woman from Ahmedabad was duped of ₹73,299 after falling prey to an online scam perpetrated by an individual posing as a UK-based doctor on Instagram.

The victim, Binal Shah (40), a resident of Shahpur, filed a complaint at Shahpur police station, stating that she had been in contact with an individual operating under the Instagram ID drshiva463. The scammer, who introduced himself as Dr Shiva Kenny, claimed to be a doctor in the United Kingdom and offered financial assistance to gain her trust.

As per the complaint, the fraud began on December 27, 2024, when Binal received a message from the Instagram ID. The individual later shifted their conversation to WhatsApp, using the number +44 7704596199. Over the next few days, the scammer inquired about her financial situation, eventually convincing her that he was willing to transfer ₹10 lakh into her bank account to help her financially.

Binal, believing the offer to be genuine, shared her bank account details and a passport-sized photo as requested. On January 1, 2025, the fraudster sent a fabricated HSBC Bank of UK transaction slip, claiming that ₹10 lakh had been transferred. Soon after, she received a call from an individual posing as a bank representative, who informed her that she needed to pay a "processing fee" to complete the transaction.

Under pressure, Binal was instructed to transfer money in multiple instalments via QR codes and NEFT transactions. She initially sent ₹5,000, followed by several payments totalling ₹73,299 to different bank accounts. The fraudster continued to make false claims, stating that additional payments were needed for 'verification' and to avoid legal trouble.

When she hesitated, the scammer escalated the pressure, sending her manipulated images of legal documents with Supreme Court seals and even a fake signature from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The fraudster further threatened her with arrest and legal action if she failed to comply with the demands.

Realising she had been scammed, Binal confided in her husband, who advised her to contact the cybercrime helpline. She subsequently reported the fraud to the police, providing details of the bank accounts and mobile numbers used in the crime.

Shahpur police have registered the case and begun an investigation. Officials are tracing the bank accounts and digital footprints of the fraudster to uncover the syndicate behind the operation.

Authorities have once again urged the public to remain cautious of online scams, particularly those involving unsolicited financial assistance or requests for personal details. The police have advised citizens to verify claims before transferring money and to report suspicious activity immediately to the cybercrime helpline (1930). ‎