Mumbai techie lost Rs 12 lakh in astrology scam

A tech worker from Mumbai fell victim to a major scam after seeking help from an astrology app. He lost over Rs 12 lakh while trying to find peace through spiritual guidance. The man initially downloaded the DevineTalk app, hoping to solve his life problems. In January, he connected with a spiritual guide named Nishant, who recommended a ritual costing Rs 6,300 to cleanse his life. The techie believed this would help him and agreed. Nishant told him that a well-known figure, Bade Maharaj, would perform the ritual. The situation soon turned into a case of financial extortion. Bade Maharaj demanded Rs 15,300 to start the ritual and later asked for an additional Rs 28,000. Trusting the process, the techie sent the money electronically. As he sought proof of the rituals, the scammers intensified their demands, including another Rs 20,000, claiming some rituals were incomplete. Feeling anxious and threatened, the techie complied with their requests, eventually transferring a total of Rs 2.41 lakh. Still, the fraudsters were not satisfied, and they continued to pressure him for more money. Looking to improve his fate, he borrowed extensively and maxed out his credit cards, losing a total of Rs 12.20 lakh. The techie only realized he was being cheated after confiding in friends and searching online. He found multiple complaints against the DevineTalk app for fraudulent practices. Finally, he reported the scam to the cyber police, leading to an official inquiry under various laws.