Retired teacher duped of Rs 96 lakh in online insurance fraud

Indore: An elderly retired teacher from Indore lost Rs 96 lakh to scammers posing as SBI Life Insurance officials. The scammers made her carry out the transactions over a span of two years, from 2023 to Jan 2025.
Additional DCP Rajesh Dandotiya said that the woman, who previously had purchased two insurance policies from SBI Life Insurance, had received a call from a person who identified himself as Rajiv Sharma, an official from the company. He told her that she was eligible for a surrender amount upon paying the premium. Trusting the legitimacy of the call, she followed his instructions and initially paid Rs one lakh as a processing fee.
Dandotiya said that over the time, the scammers manipulated her into transferring more money under the pretence of policy processes and future profit benefits. In total, she made 34 online transactions, amounting to Rs 96 lakh, before realising the fraud when the scammers cut off all contact.
The woman then approached the crime branch in Indore and also reported the incident on National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930. Authorities have since frozen the related bank accounts and launched an investigation into the matter.
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Don't trust unknown callers claiming to be officials from banks, insurance companies, or other financial institutions.
Avoid transferring money online based on instructions from unknown sources
Never click on suspicious links sent via SMS, email, or social media regarding policy payments
Report online fraud immediately to National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or file complaint on National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP)