The Lucknow Cyber Crime Cell, in a joint operation with Krishna Nagar police, has successfully apprehended two interstate cyber criminals operating from Delhi. The accused are alleged to have cheated more than 120 individuals across multiple states, swindling an estimated nearly Rs 50 crore over a two-year period through elaborate fake online business schemes.
The Modus Operandi of the Fraudsters
The arrested individuals, identified as Mohit Joshi (26) and Gulbir (33), both Class 12 pass-outs with no legitimate business, orchestrated a sophisticated scam. They created bogus interior decoration supply firms and targeted traders listed on an online platform.
Posing as large-scale traders on WhatsApp accounts created with fraudulent SIM cards, they offered synthetic or artificial grass and other décor materials at prices significantly lower than market rates to lure victims. To build credibility, they shared downloaded product images and sent forged documents, including GST invoices and transport receipts, generated through mobile applications like GST Invoice Manager and Vyapar Invoice Maker.
Once trust was established, they instructed victims to deposit advance payments into mule bank accounts or gaming app wallets. Immediately after the funds were transferred, the duo would switch off their phones, disable their WhatsApp accounts, and destroy the SIM cards, vanishing without delivering any goods.
How the Case Unfolded
The elaborate fraud came to light after a complainant approached the Lucknow Cyber Crime Cell on October 2, 2025, reporting a cyber fraud of Rs 1.65 lakh. The victim stated he was cheated after receiving fake invoices for artificial grass and a bogus travel agency bill, which prompted him to transfer the advance amount.
During interrogation, the accused confessed to committing similar cyber frauds in several states. A verification of their mobile numbers on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal revealed 11 complaints from 12 different states, indicating fraud of approximately Rs 1 crore using the same method. However, police suspect the actual scale is much larger, with estimates reaching up to Rs 50 crore over the past two years.
Police Statement and Ongoing Investigation
ACP (Cyber Cell) Saumya Pandey detailed the operation, stating that the accused meticulously crafted fake business identities to exploit traders. The police are now delving deeper into the network of bank accounts and gaming wallets used to launder the massive sums of money. This arrest highlights the growing threat of interstate online business fraud and serves as a warning for traders to exercise extreme caution during online transactions, especially with unknown entities offering deals that seem too good to be true.
