Mumbai: A senior citizen was duped of Rs 23.5 lakh by three people, who claimed to be representatives of two well-known insurance companies in Goregaon. The duo offered the victim a mediclaim policy, which later turned out to be a pension plan. According to police, the victim had to bear the medical expenses of her aged parents.
For the purpose, she was facing monetary crisis. In April 2016, the complainant had got a call from a person who introduced himself as Vikas Chauhan, a representative of a reputed insurance firm and claimed to offer financial aid to people who opted for an insurance policy from his firm.
“Chauhan told the woman that after getting the mediclaim policy, she would be able to get loans from a bank easily. The complainant gave cheques to Chauhan from her savings bank account as a premium for her policy,” said an officer of the Goregaon police station.
A few months later, on checking the policy document, she discovered that both the policies, which she had taken were, pension plans instead and the her signature was forged for the pension plan instead of the health insurance policy. When contacted, Chauhan said he was sacked from the firm and the policy files were handled by another executive, Devika.
In December 2016, Devika informed the victim she was duped and her policy documents were being scrutinised by the insurance fraud cell of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA), and the investigation was underway. Police said Devika had assured the victim of refunding the money. In addition, the policy benefits will be extended to her as compensation, but the victim had to pay some amount to her.
“Devika asked for more money. The victim paid her a sum of Rs19.69 lakh from her savings bank account. When the victim grew suspicious that she was being duped again by Devika, she lodged a complaint. We have registered a case under section 120b, 170, 34, 419, 420, 464 and 465 of the IPC. We are investigating the matter and are taking strict action against all the accused involved,” the officer added.
