Hyderabad: A family struggling to raise money for the treatment of their 12-year-old son, who has been bedridden with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) for five years, was allegedly cheated of ₹84,000 by cyber fraudsters who promised to help fund his treatment.
Their son, Ritwik Joel (12) was diagnosed with DMD, a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness. Rajesh told TOI that the family had already borrowed around ₹15 lakh to meet Ritwik’s medical expenses. The treatment is expected to cost around ₹26 crore. The callers allegedly told the couple that they had a large amount of unaccounted money and wanted to donate ₹25 lakh towards Ritwik’s treatment.
Doctors have now advised gene therapy, for which an injection would have to be procured from abroad, he said. Some unidentified persons who saw the video obtained Prashanthi’s phone number and contacted her,” Rajesh said. Rokkam Rajesh and his wife Prashanthi, originally from Ramannagudem in Eluru district, migrated to Aswaraopeta in Bhadradri Kothagudem district six years ago and have been working as daily-wage labourers. His condition gradually worsened and he has been bedridden for the past five years. “With no means to meet the huge expense, we posted a video on social media seeking financial assistance for our son’s treatment.