Ghaziabad Couple Falls Victim to Elaborate Baby Photoshoot Scam
A young couple from Ghaziabad has lost a staggering Rs 7 lakh to cunning fraudsters who lured them with promises of a professional photoshoot for their baby. The elaborate scam unfolded over several days, exploiting the parents' hopes for their child.
The Initial Contact on Facebook
Lalit Kumar Kaushik and his wife Payal, residents of Sangam Vihar, received a message on January 7 from a Facebook page called 'Sparkling Childhood'. The page operators posed as representatives of a children's clothing brand. They asked the couple if they would be interested in having their baby model for the brand's photoshoot.
After a brief discussion about the photoshoot details, the fraudsters requested three photographs of the infant. They then instructed the parents to connect with their supposed manager, Krishna Gowtham, through the Telegram messaging app.
The Telegram Trap Unfolds
Krishna Gowtham told Lalit and Payal that they needed to earn points by completing specific tasks before the marketing team could proceed with their child's photoshoot. He added them to a Telegram group named 'Kids Club (18)'.
"Krishna asked us to follow and like links posted in the group and send screenshots as proof," explained Lalit Kaushik. "For each link we liked, we received payments between Rs 150 and Rs 300 directly into our account."
The payments appeared instantly, building a false sense of trust. After several rounds of these simple tasks, the fraudsters introduced an investment component to their scheme.
The Investment Deception
The couple was asked to invest Rs 1,000 with a promise of receiving Rs 1,300 back within just fifteen minutes. Initially skeptical, Lalit and Payal hesitated. Krishna Gowtham assured them their money was completely safe.
When they reluctantly agreed, the promised Rs 1,300 indeed appeared in their account promptly. This successful transaction further lowered their guard.
For the next round, the fraudsters demanded an investment of Rs 5,000. Krishna connected them to another individual named Bharat through Telegram. Bharat shared a website link that displayed what appeared to be legitimate investment returns credited to the couple's bank accounts.
Throughout this process, the scammers repeatedly insisted that the couple's funds remained secure. Between January 8 and January 9, Lalit Kaushik transferred a total of Rs 7 lakh to various accounts provided by the fraudsters.
The Scam Collapses
On January 10, Lalit Kaushik attempted to withdraw the accumulated amount but found himself unable to access the funds. When he raised concerns, the fraudsters connected him to a customer service Telegram ID supposedly for refunds.
No refund ever materialized. Instead, the couple found themselves abruptly removed from the Telegram group, cutting off all communication with the scammers.
Police Action Follows Complaint
Following this betrayal, Lalit Kaushik filed a formal complaint at the cybercrime police station in Ghaziabad. Peeyush Kumar Singh, ADCP (Crime & Cyber), confirmed that authorities have registered an FIR against unknown persons.
The case has been filed under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for cheating, along with relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. Police are now investigating the matter to trace the individuals behind this sophisticated online fraud.
This incident serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of online financial schemes that promise quick returns. Cybercrime experts advise citizens to exercise extreme caution when strangers offer lucrative opportunities through social media platforms.
