Four separate online fraud cases reported across Pune have resulted in citizens losing nearly Rs 57 lakh after alleged fraudsters used pension updates, life-certificate procedures, WhatsApp messages and mobile links to obtain banking details, according to complaints registered with local police stations.
The cases were reported within the jurisdictions of Nanded City, Fursungi, Baner and Kalepadal police stations. The victims included three senior citizens and a 50-year-old resident. Police have registered cases and begun investigations into the transactions and the individuals who contacted the complainants.
In the Nanded City area, an 83-year-old resident of the DSK Dhayari Vishva complex allegedly lost Rs 10.43 lakh after seeing a social-media message offering to update a life certificate. The complainant was later contacted on a mobile phone and allegedly provided bank-account information during the process. Nanded City police have registered a case, with further investigation being conducted by Police Inspector Prasad Raut.
A separate complaint from Fursungi concerns a 50-year-old resident who was contacted through WhatsApp. The caller allegedly offered financial assistance for a knee operation and subsequently asked the resident to make payments for different reasons. The complainant reportedly lost Rs 26.30 lakh. Fursungi police have registered a case, and Police Inspector (Crime) Babar is investigating.
In Baner, a 59-year-old woman allegedly received a mobile link connected to a purported transaction under the National Pension Scheme. The fraudsters allegedly obtained her banking information and then used a screen-sharing pretext to transfer Rs 10.41 lakh, according to the complaint. Baner police have registered a case, with the investigation being led by Police Inspector (Crime) Khillare.
Another case was reported in Kalepadal, where a 72-year-old resident was allegedly contacted on a mobile phone in connection with a pension card and bank-account procedure. After obtaining the resident’s information, the alleged fraudsters carried out online transactions amounting to Rs 9.80 lakh. Kalepadal police have registered a case, and Police Inspector (Crime) Babar is conducting the investigation.
The incidents show how routine administrative requirements, including life-certificate updates and pension-related processes, are being used as entry points for financial fraud. The complaints also involve different digital contact methods, including social-media messages, WhatsApp and mobile links, rather than a single mechanism.
Police have advised residents not to click links received on mobile phones in the name of pension updates, life certificates, digital arrest notices, bank-account verification or financial assistance. Citizens have also been asked not to share account details, one-time passwords or other confidential information with unknown callers. Suspicious messages should be checked directly with the official bank or the relevant government department before any information or payment is provided.
