A 69‑year‑old retired Subedar from the Hisar Military Cantonment in Haryana has been defrauded of ₹15.16 lakh in a sophisticated cyber insurance scam, police have confirmed. The incident, which has shocked local residents and raised fresh concerns about the growing prevalence of online fraud targeting the elderly, is now the subject of an active investigation by the Cyber Police Station.
According to the first information report (FIR), the victim, Karan Singh, purchased a life insurance policy worth ₹8 lakh in 2010. The policy matured in 2020, but Singh reportedly received fewer funds than he expected. In September 2025, he was contacted by a woman who presented herself as a representative of the insurance company and claimed that a substantial balance of funds, including interest, was still owed to him.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Following the initial contact, a man identifying himself as a company agent deepened the deception. He informed Singh that the total amount due – including accumulated interest – was ₹13.28 lakh, but that several upfront charges would need to be paid before the balance could be released. Believing the assurances, Singh made multiple payments between October and November 2025.
Despite these payments, no refund or release of funds materialised. Instead, the fraudsters continued to demand ever larger sums, at one point seeking an additional ₹5 lakh. Singh reportedly raised funds through his own savings and by borrowing from neighbours.
It was only when Singh shared details of the communication with his son that alarm bells were raised. His son suspected cybercrime and promptly filed a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal. Following preliminary verification by authorities, an FIR was registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and police have now launched a formal probe into the matter.
Payments Made by the Victim
| Date | Purpose | Amount (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| 17 Oct 2025 | Registration fee | 17,928 |
| 31 Oct 2025 | Code generation | 44,980 |
| 07 Nov 2025 | Release charges | 87,884 |
| Various | Audit, government & processing fees | Balance up to 15,16,338 |
(Figures compiled from police report.)
Cybercrime experts have warned that similar insurance‑related scams often involve fraudsters contacting policyholders about supposed refunds or bonuses, and then persuading them to pay fictitious fees or charges. In many cases, victims are reluctant to question seemingly official‑sounding contacts, especially when they are older and trusting.
Authorities have urged members of the public to verify all such communications directly with the official customer service channels of their insurance providers, and to report any suspicious messages or calls to law enforcement without delay.