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In Photos: Mumbai security guard loses Rs 1.73 lakh after calling fake customer-care number

Updated On: 09 September, 2026 01:33 PM IST | Janhavi Pingale

A routine attempt to return a faulty electric kettle turned into a costly cyber-fraud ordeal for 49-year-old Mumbai security guard Jaykaran Maurya, who lost Rs 1,73,695 after calling a customer-care number found through an online search. (Illustrations/Uday Mohite) (Written by Ritika Gondhalekar)

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Jaykaran Maurya. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
Jaykaran Maurya. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
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Maurya points to the number he called after a Google search as he was traced based on the bank account details. Police suspect it’s a three-member gang that operates from multiple locations. The other two are yet to be traced
Maurya points to the number he called after a Google search as he was traced based on the bank account details. Police suspect it’s a three-member gang that operates from multiple locations. The other two are yet to be traced
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Gone within minutes: Suspicious, Maurya rushed to a mobile phone repair shop, and as soon as his phone was fixed, he saw messages stating that Rs 1 lakh had been withdrawn from his Bank of Baroda account and Rs 73,695 from his Bank of India account
Gone within minutes: Suspicious, Maurya rushed to a mobile phone repair shop, and as soon as his phone was fixed, he saw messages stating that Rs 1 lakh had been withdrawn from his Bank of Baroda account and Rs 73,695 from his Bank of India account
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Phone goes dark: The fraudster promised to help process the refund and guided Mayura through instructions involving his PhonePe PIN, mobile number, bank accounts and phone settings. He was also asked to change accessibility settings, with his phone getting switched off moments later
Phone goes dark: The fraudster promised to help process the refund and guided Mayura through instructions involving his PhonePe PIN, mobile number, bank accounts and phone settings. He was also asked to change accessibility settings, with his phone getting switched off moments later
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Wanted to return faulty kettle: Maurya, who received a faulty kettle from a shopping app, searched online for customer care to return it after being made to wait for several days. He found two numbers and called one, believing it was genuine
Wanted to return faulty kettle: Maurya, who received a faulty kettle from a shopping app, searched online for customer care to return it after being made to wait for several days. He found two numbers and called one, believing it was genuine
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Rs 1,73,695 saved over the past 24 months: Jaykaran Maurya worked at Parekh Market in Charni Road, earning around Rs 12,000 a month. With monthly household expenses going up to Rs 7000-Rs 8000, he saved whatever remained. In February, he spent around Rs 5 lakh on his daughter’s wedding, leaving Rs 1,73,695 as his only financial cushion after two years of saving
Rs 1,73,695 saved over the past 24 months: Jaykaran Maurya worked at Parekh Market in Charni Road, earning around Rs 12,000 a month. With monthly household expenses going up to Rs 7000-Rs 8000, he saved whatever remained. In February, he spent around Rs 5 lakh on his daughter’s wedding, leaving Rs 1,73,695 as his only financial cushion after two years of saving

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