Mumbai: Retired Man from Switzerland Cheated of ₹9.65 Lakh in Fake Gas Connection Scam
Maharashtra: While staying at his home in Goregaon West, a 77-year-old Swiss national was defrauded of ₹9.65 lakh in an online scam. The victim, Sumanbhai Rathod—a retired employee of the World Trade Organization (WTO)—had arrived in Mumbai with his wife on November 17, 2025, for a four-month visit.
False Alert Regarding Gas Connection Disconnection
On March 17, at approximately 6:20 PM, Rathod received a message on WhatsApp warning him that his gas connection would be disconnected that very night unless he contacted an official. The message appeared authentic, as it featured the company’s name and logo.
After responding, he received a phone call from an individual who identified himself as an official. The caller sent a malicious APK file and initiated a video call; using the pretext of updating billing information, he persuaded Rathod to share his personal details.
₹9.65 Lakh Withdrawn from Account
The fraudster obtained his debit card details and OTP, following which ₹9.65 lakh was withdrawn from his bank account.
Complaint Filed; Investigation Underway
Upon discovering the fraud, Rathod alerted his bank, contacted the cyber helpline, and lodged a complaint with the police. A case has been registered against unknown individuals, and an investigation is currently underway.
