In Kolhapur Retired Professor Duped of ₹3.57 Crore by Cyber Criminals Threatening 'Digital Arrest'

In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a retired professor from Kolhapur has been swindled out of over ₹3.57 crore by cyber criminals who threatened her with a "digital and physical arrest" in a fake money laundering case.

The victim, Meena Muralidhar Dongre, was allegedly conned by individuals posing as officials from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) and the Mumbai Police. The fraud took place over a span of 40 days, between April 18 and May 27, 2025.

According to police, the scammers intimidated Dongre by falsely claiming she was involved in a money laundering case and would face immediate arrest unless she cooperated. Fearing legal consequences, Dongre transferred ₹3,57,23,000 to 10 different bank accounts in foreign countries through 15 separate transactions via RTGS and NEFT.

The case was registered at the Rajarampuri Police Station under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The investigation is currently underway.

Speaking on the matter, Police Inspector Sushant Chavan said, “The victim was targeted systematically and made to believe that she was in serious legal trouble. The accused used sophisticated methods to convince her of their legitimacy.”

Authorities are now working to trace the recipients of the funds and have also sought assistance from cybercrime units and financial institutions to track the international transactions.

This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime targeting vulnerable individuals, particularly senior citizens, and underscores the need for increased public awareness and digital literacy.