In a case that has drawn public attention, a 79-year-old man was reportedly defrauded of ₹4.5 lakh by a doctor and her associate who allegedly posed as scientists of India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The accused have been booked by the Achole (Vasai) police under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating and criminal breach of trust.
According to the police investigation, the victim, Mr. Shabbir Nagdawala, was acquainted with Dr. Usha Mehta, who runs a clinic on Ambadi Road, Vasai West. In July, during a visit, Dr. Mehta introduced her associate, Parmeshwar Din Pal, as a DRDO scientist. Pal allegedly presented a forged identity card, which gave the impression of legitimacy, especially since a known medical professional vouched for him.
Over several meetings, the duo convinced Mr. Nagdawala to invest in “antique pieces” and copper-iridium — a high-value, rare-earth alloy — promising returns in crores. They asked for an initial sum of ₹50,000, which Mr. Nagdawala paid, and later demanded further funds, totaling ₹4.5 lakh over the span of a month. During this time, the accused purportedly traveled with him to Kolkata under claims of securing the antiques, assuring him daily of their imminent delivery.
When the promised goods did not materialize and suspicions grew, Mr. Nagdawala approached local police, leading to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR) under sections 318 (4) (cheating), 316 (2) (criminal breach of trust), and related provisions of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
In recent years, frauds targeting senior citizens in India have increased sharply, especially cybercrime and financial scams that misuse trust in authority. Between 2020 and 2022, cybercrimes against elders rose by about 86 %. Many of these scams involve impersonation (e.g. people posing as bank officials, police, or government agencies), fake investment schemes, “digital arrest” threats, or demands for immediate payments. Senior citizens are often targeted because of their savings, limited digital literacy, and higher levels of trust.
In one survey, 45 % of seniors admitted they struggle to identify online fraud, and a smaller share knew how to report it. Recent real-life cases include elders losing amounts ranging from lakhs to crores due to schemes involving fake IDs, forged documents, or fraudulent claims.
(Rh/Eth/TL/MSM)
