Cybercrime Wave Hits Navi Mumbai: Residents Duped of Over Rs 4.3 Crore in Fraud Scams
Navi Mumbai, 9th June 2025: In a worrying surge, cybercriminals have duped residents in Navi Mumbai of over ₹4.36 crore in just the first week of June, exposing severe gaps in cyber awareness and vigilance. On Saturday alone, nine cyber fraud cases were registered across the Navi Mumbai Police Commissionerate, with victims losing a total of ₹1.78 crore.
One of the biggest victims was a 64-year-old doctor from CBD who was conned into transferring ₹15.4 lakh after being falsely accused of money laundering and terrorism links by a caller posing as a Bengaluru-based Data Protection Board official.
In another case, a 61-year-old man from Khandeshwar lost ₹24.9 lakh after a scammer identifying himself as a Colaba police officer threatened him with arrest. Similarly, a 61-year-old woman from Nerul was cheated out of ₹19 lakh by fraudsters posing as CBI and police officials.
A 28-year-old Airoli resident lost ₹20.3 lakh after her identity documents were misused by a gang impersonating government officers. Another woman from Airoli was duped of a staggering ₹49.59 lakh after being promised gifts from abroad and being asked to pay various “custom duties.”
A businessman from Turbhe MIDC fell prey to a fake loan scam and transferred ₹14 lakh as supposed stamp duty. Meanwhile, a Ghansoli resident lost ₹10.23 lakh through a link-clicking scam, and a Panvel man was cheated of ₹23.17 lakh via a fake investment scheme.
A 46-year-old Nerul man also lost ₹23.6 lakh after being lured into a betting app scam promising high returns.
Police have registered multiple FIRs and launched investigations, but officials admit cyber literacy remains a major challenge. Authorities urge residents to stay vigilant, avoid unsolicited calls, and never share personal or banking information.
