Thane: With the rise of cyber fraud, doctors are increasingly becoming vulnerable targets. In a recent case, a Thane-based doctor fell victim to a fraudulent medical equipment contract scheme orchestrated by three scammers, losing a staggering ₹3.84 crore.

According to a PTI report, the three fraudsters lured the doctor into the scam by promising profitable returns on a municipal contract to supply medical equipment. The accused convinced the 39-year-old doctor to invest a large amount of money between December 1, 2020, and March 27, 2024, in what they described as an investment in multiple medical items related to the contract.

The doctor allegedly got swayed by the financial gain and invested for three years with the hope of getting high returns. However, his dream soon became a hard reality after he did not receive profits or any return from the investment.

Also read- Rajkot doctor put under digital arrest for 2 days, duped of Rs 22.82 lakh

Realising he was duped by the fraudsters, the doctor approached the police and filed a case against the fraudsters under the relevant BNS act.

“The man approached police after he did not get profits or any return on investment. We have registered a case of cheating but have not arrested anyone,” said a Naupada police station official.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported how a dean of a Mumbai Medical College fell victim to a scheme, losing ₹48.28 lahks to scammers who kept her under "digital house arrest.'' The fraudsters, posing as police officers, falsely claimed that her Aadhaar was linked to illegal bank accounts and pressured her for payment by threatening her with arrest.

The 63-year-old woman doctor and dean of a medical college realised that she was scammed after completing 19 transactions with the fraudsters, driven by her fear of arrest, as the fraudsters alleged that her Aadhaar card was used to open three bank accounts in Uttar Pradesh for illegal activities.

Also read- Mumbai Medical College Dean put under digital house arrest, duped of Rs 48.28 lakh