A 72-year-old cardiologist from Mumbai’s Chembur area has fallen victim to a cyber fraud, losing ₹10 lakh to scammers impersonating officials from Mahanagar Gas Limited, police said on Friday.
Fraudsters Posed as Gas Company Officials
According to officials from the Chembur police station, the victim received a call claiming his gas bill was unpaid and that his connection would be disconnected if immediate action was not taken. The fraudsters created urgency to pressure the doctor into complying with their instructions.
WhatsApp Message and Fake Payment Link
As per the complaint, the doctor first received a WhatsApp message on April 8 stating that his February 2026 gas bill was pending and warning of disconnection by 9 PM. Soon after, he received repeated calls from another number.
Despite informing the caller that the bill had already been paid, the fraudster insisted that a system “update” was required and sent a file via WhatsApp. The victim was asked to download it to complete the process.
₹10 Lakh Transferred via Unauthorized Transactions
After downloading the file, the accused allegedly gained remote access to the doctor’s bank account. Within a short span, six unauthorized transactions were carried out, siphoning off ₹10 lakh to another account.
The fraud came to light only after the victim checked his bank statement and noticed the suspicious transactions.
Case Registered Under BNS and IT Act
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act 2000. An investigation is currently underway to trace the accused and recover the stolen funds.
Rising Trend: Doctors Targeted in Cyber Scams
This incident comes amid a worrying rise in cyber fraud cases targeting medical professionals. In a similar case from Pune, a 75-year-old doctor was allegedly duped of ₹12.31 crore by fraudsters offering high returns through fake share trading schemes.
How to Stay Safe from Such Scams
Authorities have urged citizens to remain vigilant and follow basic cyber safety practices:
- Never download files or apps sent by unknown callers
- Avoid clicking on suspicious links received via WhatsApp or SMS
- Do not share banking details or OTPs with anyone
- Verify claims directly with official customer care numbers
Cyber experts warn that scammers are increasingly using impersonation tactics and social engineering to exploit fear and urgency. Citizens are advised to stay cautious and report any suspicious activity immediately to the police or cybercrime helplines.
