Nagpur: In a tragic incident, a 51-year-old pharmacist from Nagpur, Akshay Bahekar, consumed poison and ended his life at a hotel on Central Avenue. Bahekar, who was employed at the Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) Nagpur, was the victim of a cyber fraud scam in which he lost nearly Rs 60 lakh. The incident came to light when the hotel management found his lifeless body after unlocking his room with a master key on Thursday afternoon.
According to Ganeshpeth police, Bahekar had been tricked by cyber fraudsters who lured him into investing in the forex trade through a fraudulent app. The police revealed that Bahekar, originally from Gondia and previously posted as a pharmacist at Mayo Hospital, left behind a four-page suicide note. In it, he named four individuals responsible for the scam, who had manipulated him into transferring his money under the pretext of high returns.
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Friday 20 Dec. 2024
The police discovered an empty pesticide bottle and Bahekar’s phone in the hotel room. Over the course of three months, the cyber criminals convinced Bahekar to invest almost Rs 60 lakh, promising compounded profits. However, once the money was transferred, the fraudsters ceased all communication, and Bahekar realized he had been duped. Although profits appeared in his digital account, no real money was transferred. Bahekar meticulously attached chat logs, messages with the fraudsters, and his bank account details to his suicide note as evidence of the scam.
Bahekar, who lived alone in a rented apartment in Parvati Nagar, Manewada, checked into the hotel on the evening of September 3. He was last seen on Wednesday at around 8 pm. Police are still investigating how Bahekar managed to raise the significant amount he lost in the scam. It is also unclear whether he had approached any police station or the cyber cell for help, although this is yet to be confirmed.
The incident has raised concerns about the increasing menace of cyber fraud and the devastating impact it can have on individuals. The police are continuing their investigation into the case.
