Fake Policy Scam: Elderly Couple Defrauded

A senior citizen couple in Malabar Hill has fallen victim to an insurance fraud, losing around ₹1.16 lakh in premiums paid for a non-existent medical policy. The deception came to light when the wife, Alka Sharma, required hospitalization for a spinal cord ailment. The family was informed by Saifee Hospital that their policy with Care Health Insurance was not on record.

The couple had purchased the policy in 2021 through an agent, Shumaila Ansari, who allegedly provided them with forged policy documents and renewal receipts. After paying ₹2.5 lakh towards Alka's hospital bill, the Sharmas found that their policy was entirely fake, with no record existing with the insurance company. Ansari, who claimed to be in Dubai, has since become unreachable.

Police have registered a case against the agent under sections related to criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery. They are advising the public to verify their policy details online with insurance providers to prevent similar incidents. This case echoes a previous scam uncovered by the Mumbai Crime Branch involving fake insurance brokerage firms.