In a sophisticated heist that proves even the state’s high-security headquarters is not immune to cybercrime, a 55-year-old section officer at Mantralaya was swindled of Rs 1.11 lakh. The scam unfolded not in a dark alley, but through a series of persistent phone calls and a malicious WhatsApp link sent to her while she was at her desk.

The Rs 73 bait

The ordeal began on March 27 for Madhura Manoj Tatkare, who works in the Housing Department at Mantralaya. While attending to her official duties, she received a call from a man identifying himself as “Shashikant Verma” from Mahanagar Gas Limited (MGL). The caller claimed that her gas connection was on the verge of being disconnected due to an unpaid bill.