Mumbai: A family in Andheri fell victim to a major investment scam, losing over Rs 1.25 crore after being promised high-interest returns. The MIDC Police have registered a case against three individuals, Rohan Shinde, Hemali Shinde and Sudip Shinde, on charges of cheating and embezzlement. Summons for their questioning are expected soon, as per reports.

Details On The Fraud

The complainant, a 63-year-old retired woman from Andheri, became acquainted with the accused four years ago. Over time, the Shinde family gained her trust and persuaded her, along with her son and daughter-in-law, to invest in a company that supposedly offered a lucrative 2.5% monthly interest rate. They further claimed that the company was planning to expand across Maharashtra with nearly 100 new branches, promising even higher returns for larger investments.

Convinced by these assurances, the complainant and her family transferred Rs 1.25 crore. However, instead of depositing the funds into the company’s official bank account, the accused redirected the money into their personal accounts, as reported by Lokmat Times. Initially, the investors received regular interest payments, maintaining their confidence in the scheme. However, in February 2024, the payments suddenly stopped.

Accused Avoided Victim’s Demands Of Fund Recovery

When the family tried to reach out for explanations, the accused began avoiding them. Their repeated attempts to recover the invested amount were ignored, raising suspicions about fraudulent activity. Realizing they had been deceived, the complainant approached the MIDC Police and filed a complaint.

Following an initial investigation, the police registered a case against the accused for cheating and embezzlement. Local police os now probing the matter further and action is expected against those involved.

Gaza, Feb 10: Israeli troops killed four Palestinians, including an elderly woman, in two separate incidents in the north and south of the Gaza Strip, the Gaza-based health authorities said.

“Three Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces while returning to their homes near the Kuwait Roundabout, east of Gaza City. Their bodies were transferred to the Baptist Hospital,” the health authorities said in a press statement.

In a separate incident, the health authorities reported that an elderly woman from the Mahna family was shot dead by Israeli forces east of the town of Al-Qarara, near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday.

The killings follow the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Netzarim Corridor — a strip of land that bisected Gaza from north to south.

Meanwhile, the health authorities announced that the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has risen to 48,189, with 111,640 others injured.

Gaza’s health authorities reported eight deaths and two injuries in the past 24 hours, including seven bodies recovered from the rubble and one additional fatality.

They warned that more victims remain trapped beneath the debris in areas that are difficult to access due to ongoing shelling.

On Sunday, the health authorities urged Palestinian residents to donate blood, warning that supplies have been completely depleted after 15 months of war.

“Our blood bank is empty, and we need immediate donations to save lives,” they said.

Ranchi, Feb 7: As Valentine’s Week starts with promises of love, roses, and heartfelt commitments, cybercriminals are also gearing up to exploit emotions for financial fraud.

Amidst the celebration of romance, authorities are stepping up efforts to protect people from falling victim to “romance scams.”

To counter these digital deceptions, the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), under the Union Home Ministry, has launched a special awareness campaign on social media, running parallel to Valentine’s Week.

Using the hashtag #RomanceScamPreventionWeek, officials are spreading crucial information to help people identify and avoid online scams disguised as love.

The Jharkhand Police has also joined the initiative, posting alerts on its official social media handles. One of the campaign’s eye-catching posters, shared on the I4C X handle, poses a thought-provoking question: “What will you do if your online sweetheart asks you for money?”

The post further warns: “This romance season, don’t get duped in the name of love! Join Cyber Dost in Romance Scam Prevention Week and learn how to outsmart scammers.”

Authorities are urging people to stay vigilant and report fraud immediately by calling 1930 or lodging a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.

A cyber police officer in Ranchi highlighted a recent case where a woman fell prey to a romance scam. She met a man through a matrimonial site, exchanged numbers, and began building a connection. The man planned a visit to Ranchi, but just before their meeting, he claimed he was detained at Delhi airport and needed urgent financial help. Believing his story, she transferred Rs 7 lakh — only to realise later that his profile had vanished without a trace.

With online romance on the rise, the cyber police’s message is clear — Trust your heart, but verify with your mind. Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment — because in the digital world, not every love story is real.