For a trader in Aligarh, what appeared to be a golden opportunity for expansion turned into a devastating financial loss. According to the police complaint, the businessman was approached by a woman posing as a company manager, who proposed a deal to source chemicals from Gujarat. Over the span of ten days, between August 20 and 29, the victim transferred more than Rs 41 lakh into different bank accounts as advance payments.
The woman allegedly reinforced the illusion of authenticity by sending fake bills, booking details for truck dispatches, and even forged documents through email. Despite repeated assurances, the promised goods never arrived.
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An Organized Operation
Investigators believe the fraud was not the work of an individual but of a well-coordinated network. “This is an organized syndicate preying on traders by offering industrial goods and chemical supplies,” a police officer said. The probe has now extended to bank accounts and call records linked to Gujarat, where several of the payments were directed.
The case underscores how professionalized cybercrime has become, using business channels and sophisticated documentation to lure victims into parting with large sums of money.
Expert Warning on Business Frauds
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh called the incident a dangerous trend. “Fraudsters exploit trust and urgency. Many traders make advance payments without thorough verification of company credentials, GST numbers, or banking details. That becomes the biggest mistake,” he said. Singh stressed that independent verification and caution in every deal remain the only effective safeguards.
A Broader Risk for Small Businesses
India’s small and medium businesses have embraced digital transactions for growth, but this shift has also opened the door to new risks. Data from 2025 shows a 100 percent increase in cybercrime cases linked to business scams compared to 2020. Analysts warn that without stronger safeguards and greater awareness, such frauds could expand further in the coming years.
For the Aligarh trader, the financial and emotional toll is severe. “This deal seemed like a chance to grow my business,” he said. “Now I am left with debt and the burden of legal battles.”