Ahmedabad Online Scam: A woman from Ahmedabad was scammed of ₹73,299 after falling for an online fraud. The scammer posed as a UK-based doctor on Instagram, gaining the victim’s trust and tricking her into transferring money.
How the Scam Unfolded
Ahmedabad Online Scam: The victim, Binal Shah, 40, from Shahpur, was contacted by an individual on Instagram, using the handle drshiva463. The scammer, claiming to be Dr. Shiva Kenny, a doctor from the United Kingdom, initially offered to help her financially. On December 27, 2024, Binal received a message from the Instagram account, which later moved to WhatsApp.
Over the next few days, the fraudster gained Binal’s trust and convinced her that he was willing to transfer ₹10 lakh to her account to help her with financial difficulties. The scammer instructed Binal to share her bank account details and a passport-sized photo, which she did, believing the offer to be genuine.
The Fake Transaction and Pressure Tactics
Ahmedabad Online Scam: On January 1, 2025, the scammer sent Binal a fake HSBC Bank transaction slip, claiming that the ₹10 lakh had been transferred to her bank account. However, soon after, she received a call from someone pretending to be a bank representative, who informed her that a processing fee was required to complete the transaction.
The scammer then continued to pressurize her, asking for multiple payments via QR codes and NEFT transactions. Binal initially transferred ₹5,000, followed by several additional payments totaling ₹73,299.
Ahmedabad Online Scam: Threats and Fake Documents Used to Scam the Victim
As Binal hesitated, the fraudster escalated the situation by sending manipulated images of legal documents with Supreme Court seals and a fake signature from the CBI. He threatened her with arrest and legal action if she did not comply with the demands for more money.
Realizing the Scam and Reporting It
Once Binal realized she had been tricked, she confided in her husband, who advised her to contact the cybercrime helpline. Binal then reported the scam to the police and provided them with details of the bank accounts and phone numbers used in the crime.
Police Investigation and Public Warning
Ahmedabad Online Scam: The Shahpur police have registered a case and are now investigating the matter. Authorities are tracking the bank accounts and digital footprints of the fraudster to uncover the syndicate behind the scam.
The police have once again urged the public to be cautious when dealing with online scams. They advised citizens to verify any claims, especially those involving unsolicited financial help or requests for personal information. The cybercrime helpline (1930) should be contacted immediately if any suspicious activity is encountered.
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