Kanpur Woman Entrepreneur Loses Rs 1.8 Crore in Elaborate Share Trading Fraud
A shocking case of cyber crime has emerged from Kanpur, where a woman entrepreneur lost a staggering Rs 1.8 crore in a sophisticated share trading scam. The cyber crime branch is now actively investigating this massive fraud, which involved the transfer of funds to approximately 1,800 bank accounts spread across the country.
Complex Money Trail with Multiple Layers
Police officials revealed that the defrauded amount was transferred through an intricate network of transactions. The money moved in 14 to 15 distinct layers, creating a complex chain that investigators are currently working to unravel. According to authorities, this chain was deliberately broken multiple times to obscure the trail and complicate recovery efforts.
Satish Chandra Yadav, the in-charge of the cyber crime branch police station, provided details about the investigation. "The woman's account was linked to about 1,800 bank accounts across India," he stated. "We are connecting these chains piece by piece. Amounts ranging from as little as Rs 250 to as high as Rs 1 lakh were sent to these various accounts. Some of these accounts are likely mule accounts used to facilitate the fraud."
International Connection and Modus Operandi
Initial investigations have uncovered an international dimension to this scam. The virtual private network (VPN) used by the fraudster who contacted the entrepreneur was traced back to Cambodia. Authorities are now seeking further information through the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to pursue this lead.
The scam began several months ago when the woman, a resident of Indranagar in Kalyanpur, received a message about share trading on her social media account. The message promised substantial profits from stock market investments. After viewing this message, a link appeared on her mobile device.
How the Scam Unfolded Over Three Months
When the entrepreneur opened the link, cyber criminals added her to a group where she began receiving regular messages. She initially invested a small amount, and the fraudsters showed her what appeared to be profitable returns. Encouraged by these apparent gains, she continued investing more money over the next three months.
The situation took a troubling turn in December 2025 when she attempted to withdraw her funds. The withdrawal failed, and instead of receiving her money, the cyber criminals demanded she deposit an additional 40% of her investment. It was at this point that she realized she had fallen victim to an elaborate fraud scheme.
Formal Complaint and Ongoing Investigation
After recognizing the scam, the woman promptly filed a First Information Report (FIR) at the cyber crime branch police station. The cyber crime team has now begun scrutinizing all the bank accounts involved in this complex financial web.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of online financial scams targeting Indian entrepreneurs and investors. The use of multiple bank accounts across the country, layered transactions, and international VPN connections demonstrates how cyber criminals are evolving their methods to avoid detection.
The investigation continues as authorities work to trace the money trail and identify those responsible for this substantial financial fraud.
