Mumbai – A 49-year-old Mumbai woman has allegedly fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing ₹8 lakh under the guise of trading vintage currency and coins. The elaborate scam, which unfolded last month, preyed on the unique appeal of notes with the serial number 786 and old 25 paise coins, promising astronomical returns.
According to the police complaint filed by the woman, the ordeal began on July 8 when she encountered a social media advertisement seeking vintage currency with “peculiar series.” Possessing a ₹100 note with the auspicious 786 serial number and some old 25 paise coins, she promptly messaged the contact number provided in the ad.
Initial communications involved the woman sending photographs of her currency. The alleged scammer then made a lucrative offer: ₹8 lakh for each of her ₹100 notes and 25 paise coins. Enticed by the offer, the woman agreed to the purported transaction.
However, the accused then began to demand various upfront payments to “initiate the process.” Between July 12 and 14, citing reasons such as GST payments and late payment fees, the woman was coerced into transferring a total of ₹8.46 lakh. The scammer assured her that these amounts would be reimbursed later.
After making the payments and receiving no credit, the woman attempted to contact the accused. To her dismay, the original mobile number was switched off. Subsequent attempts to reach the scammer on three other provided numbers also proved futile, leading her to realize she had been defrauded.
Earlier this week, the victim approached the Pydhonie police station to register a First Information Report (FIR) against the unknown accused. A police officer confirmed that this type of cybercrime is prevalent, with perpetrators using promises of high returns on investments to lure unsuspecting victims.
Why is Serial Number 786 Considered Special?
The number 786 holds significant value in Islam, particularly for those who believe in numerology and its spiritual connotations. It is widely understood to be a numerical representation of the Arabic phrase “Bismillah-ir-Rahman-ir-Rahim”, which translates to “In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.” This phrase is fundamental in Islam, marking the beginning of most chapters in the Quran (except one) and commonly recited before starting any action. Due to this association, currency notes bearing the serial number 786 are often perceived as lucky and auspicious by some collectors and individuals, making them a target for such scams.