Thane: Ex-Cop, Doctor Duped in Two-Year Investment Fraud; Separate Telegram Job Scam Hits Ghatkopar Woman

Police have registered two major fraud cases in Thane and Mumbai, exposing large-scale financial scams targeting senior citizens and job-seekers.

Retired Cop, Doctor Cheated by Pune–Goa Duo

A retired 67-year-old police officer from Kalyan and his doctor friend were allegedly cheated by two individuals from Pune and Goa, officials said. According to a PTI report, the accused lured the victims over the past two years with promises of exceptionally high returns from stock market–related companies. Small “profits” were initially paid to build trust, but the payouts stopped abruptly.

After repeated attempts to recover their money failed, the victims filed a complaint at Khadakpada police station on November 21. Police have booked the accused under IPC Sections 420 (cheating), 34 (common intention), and the MPID Act. No arrests have been made yet. Investigators are examining financial records, bank transactions, and chat logs, and suspect more victims across multiple districts.

Ghatkopar Homemaker Loses ₹6.77 Lakh in Telegram Job Scam

In a separate case, a 26-year-old homemaker from Ghatkopar was defrauded of ₹6.77 lakh in a fake work-from-home scheme linked to bogus Anganwadi job offers. She had responded to a social media advertisement and was added to Telegram groups run by fraudsters posing as HR executives of an “NSI Corporate Office.”

The scammers first showed her fabricated profit screenshots, then pressured her to make repeated payments for “tasks,” forcing her to borrow money and pawn jewellery. After November 15, her account was blocked, and she lost access to her promised commission.

Police found that her money was routed through 15 mule accounts across Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Manipur, and Telangana, indicating a widespread organised cyber network. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and IT Act, and efforts are underway to trace the operators behind the racket.