A businessman from Lucknow has been financially devastated after falling prey to a sophisticated, multi-layered cyber fraud scheme. Scammers first tricked him with a fake online investment platform and then, in a cruel second act, posed as law enforcement intermediaries to extort more money. The victim's total losses have exceeded a staggering Rs 15.8 lakh.
The Initial Trap: Fake Profits and False Promises
The ordeal began when the complainant, who works with a private medical firm and is the sole breadwinner for his wife and two children, was contacted on WhatsApp. A woman identifying herself as "Ishita Rai" initiated the conversation and skillfully persuaded him to join a fraudulent online trading operation run through the Telegram app. She sent him a link to open an account on a dubious platform.
To build trust and lure in larger sums, the fraudsters employed a classic tactic. They showed small, fake "profits" on his initial investments. Encouraged by these seemingly legitimate returns, the victim proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 9.05 lakh to the scammers. The platform later displayed a tempting but entirely fictitious balance of $26,987.05.
The Twist: Impersonators Demand More Money
The scam took a darker turn when the businessman attempted to withdraw his supposed earnings. The fraudsters suddenly demanded an additional 30% "tax" amounting to Rs 4.81 lakh, threatening to freeze his account and initiate legal action if he did not comply. This was merely the first part of a double betrayal.
In a second, devastating twist, the victim was then connected to individuals claiming to be intermediaries who could help him recover his money. He first spoke to a person posing as a sub-inspector, and later to a middleman named Nikhil. They assured him that the "heads" of the company based in Noida would resolve the issue. Trusting their false authority, the desperate businessman paid another Rs 6.77 lakh, only to realise he had been duped yet again.
Financial Ruin and Police Action
The cumulative fraud has left the victim financially crippled. After realising the full extent of the deception, he finally approached the Cyber Crime Police in Lucknow and filed a formal complaint. An FIR has been registered at the Cyber Crime police station based on his account.
Cyber Cell Incharge, Lucknow, Brajesh Yadav, confirmed that an investigation is underway. This case highlights the alarming sophistication of modern cybercrime, where scammers not only steal money through fake schemes but also exploit the victim's desperation by impersonating authority figures to extract even more.
The incident serves as a critical warning for the public to be extremely cautious of unsolicited investment offers on messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. Key red flags include:
- Unsolicited contact from strangers promising high returns.
- Pressure to invest quickly through unverified links.
- Requests for additional fees or taxes to access funds.
- Individuals claiming to be officials asking for money to resolve issues.
