In an eyebrow raising incident from Mumbai, an 80-year-old man fell into an online scam where he sent Rs 8.7 crore to “four-women” in a period of 21-months. The online fraudsters, who were claiming to be four different women, trapped him in an emotional web of fake relationships and sympathy and made him transfer money 734 times for love, care and urgent needs.
It all started randomly in April 2023 when the victim sent a Facebook friend request to a woman named Sharivi. On the first hand, she denied the request and later sent him a request herself. After that they both exchanged their phone numbers and started chatting on WhatsApp. Sharvi claimed to be a divorced mother struggling with personal and family issues. She soon started asking for money for emergencies like her child’s illness and household problems. Believing her, the man began sending money regularly, according to a report by TOI.
More “friends” join the game
Later the things took another turn when a woman named Kavita contacted him, saying she knew Sharvi. She sent him sexually explicit messages to gain his trust and affection, then she also started requesting money, mostly for her children’s medical needs.
In December 2023, another woman named Dinaaz took the entry into the game and claimed to be Sharvi’s sister. She informed the man that Sharvi had died and asked him to clear Sharvi’s medical bills, even showing fake WhatsApp messages as proof. When he asked for his money back, she emotionally blackmailed him, even threatening suicide.
The final manipulation
Now things were getting serious, soon after, Jasmine entered the picture as Dinaaz’s friend, pleading for help. By this time, the man had already lost almost all of his savings but still sent her Rs 2 lakh after borrowing it from his daughter-in-law.
He had sent money 734 times by January 2025, which amounted to Rs 8.7 crore. After asking for money from his daughter-in-law he asked his son for Rs 5 lakh, which made his son become suspicious and investigated. Finally, the truth came into the light, leaving the elderly man in deep emotional shock.
The stress caused a severe emotional breakdown and he was hospitalised. Doctors diagnosed him with dementia, which may have made him more vulnerable to manipulation. On July 22, 2025, he contacted the 1930 cyber helpline, and an FIR was filed on August 6.
Investigation underway
Although four women’s names appeared in the chats, police believe they may all be fake identities created by the same person or group. A detailed cyber investigation is ongoing to track down the culprits.