Cyber Fraud Alert: 86-Year-Old Duped of ₹20 Crore Over Aadhaar Misuse Scam
An 86-year-old Mumbai woman lost ₹20 crore in an Aadhaar scam. Fraudsters posed as police, coerced her into transferring money, and were later detained.
Tech Author
A terrifying cyber fraud case involved an 86-year-old woman from Mumbai who lost over ₹20 crore due to an Aadhaar scam. Fraudsters portraying as police authorities called her and falsely claimed her Aadhaar card was used for criminal activities such as money laundering. They threatened her with legal proceedings for herself and her family, compelling her to move funds to numerous bank accounts.
Between December 26, 2024 and March 3, 2025, scammers tricked her into paying ₹20.25 crore. They even put her under "digital arrest", which prevented her from speaking with anyone about the incident. When the woman realized she had been fooled, she reported the incident to the Mumbai police, who opened an inquiry and detained the accused.
Authorities caution individuals to be cautious and never provide Aadhaar information over the phone. Here are some important tips to avoid such frauds:
- Do not provide your Aadhaar number, OTP, or banking information with anyone over the phone. Government personnel will never call to seek for personal information.
- If you receive a strange call, immediately disconnect and report it to UIDAI's toll-free helpline (1947).
Track Aadhaar usage online to prevent unwanted activity:
- Visit the myAadhaar Portal.
- Enter your Aadhaar number and captcha.
- Click "Login with OTP" (The OTP will be emailed to your registered mobile.)
- Go to "Authentication History" to review past usage. If you notice anything questionable, report it to UIDAI (1947 or help@uidai.gov.in).
Staying aware and vigilant can help protect you and your loved ones against cyber fraud.
Information referenced in this article if from India Today
