A resident of Sarojini Nagar in Lucknow was duped of over Rs 22 lakh by cyber fraudsters who lured him into a fake investment scheme operated through Telegram groups and a fraudulent trading platform, police said.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to a complaint filed at the Cyber Crime Police Station in Daliganj, the victim first encountered an individual named Ayush at Lucknow airport on January 17, 2025. Ayush later connected with him on Telegram and gradually introduced an investment opportunity promising high returns.
Initial Trust Building
In October, the victim was added to a Telegram group called “Work Group-8.” Initially, he was assigned simple online tasks such as posting restaurant reviews. He received small payments, including Rs 150 and later returns on Rs 1,000 deposits, which helped build trust.
Escalation to Larger Investments
Police said the fraudsters then directed the victim to register on a website, coin13789.cc, and persuaded him to invest larger amounts. Over time, he deposited money in multiple installments through various UPI IDs and bank accounts.
Withdrawals Blocked
Although his account showed a balance exceeding Rs 3 lakh, withdrawals were repeatedly blocked on the pretext of technical issues. The accused demanded additional payments to “unlock” funds, prompting the victim to transfer more money.
In total, the victim was duped of Rs 22 lakh. Authorities have launched an investigation into the matter.
