Lucknow: Cyber fraudsters operating in the city have cheated several residents of amounts ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees by using a mix of fear, temptation and deception. Victims were targeted through fake police calls threatening arrest, offers of cheap dry fruit supplies, Telegram-based paid tasks and forged proforma invoices. Following complaints, cases have been registered at multiple police stations, with the cyber cell examining bank accounts, call records and digital footprints.
The most serious case has been reported from the Jankipuram Extension area. Shivam Yadav received a phone call on February 2 from a person claiming to be a DSP from Bhagalpur. The caller told him that a criminal case had been registered against him and that a police team was on its way to arrest him. The fraudster also threatened to leak Shivam’s personal data on social media if he did not cooperate.
Panicked by the call, Shivam transferred ₹69,000 online to the account provided by the caller. He later realised he had been cheated and lodged a complaint at the Jankipuram police station, following which an FIR was registered and investigation initiated.
Cheap dry fruit offer turns into fraud
In another case, Prakash Kumar Yadav, who runs a restaurant in the Kapoorthala area, was lured with an offer to supply dry fruits at unusually low prices. The fraudsters posed as suppliers and persuaded him to transfer an advance amount. After receiving the payment, they neither delivered the goods nor answered calls. On his complaint, a case was registered at the Aliganj police station.
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Telegram paid task scam targets woman
A similar fraud was reported from Aliganj Sector-P, where Sargam Soni was contacted on Telegram and offered paid online tasks. Initially, she was asked to post Google Map reviews and was paid small amounts, which helped the fraudsters gain her trust. She was later encouraged to invest larger sums with promises of higher returns.
Sargam transferred a total of ₹40,200 through multiple transactions, but neither received any returns nor got her money back.
Forged proforma invoice used to cheat trader
In the Hazratganj area, cyber fraudsters used forged proforma invoices to dupe another victim. Vinod Kumar, a resident of Sitapur, was approached for the supply of dry fruits and TMT products. After receiving a fake bill, he transferred more than ₹55,000. Soon after the payment, the fraudsters switched off their phones and disappeared.
Cyber cell tracking accounts and call records
Police officials said that in all cases, the cyber cell is analysing bank accounts, call detail records and other digital evidence. Preliminary findings suggest that the fraudsters are operating from outside the state, using virtual numbers, fake identities and online platforms to avoid detection.
Police advisory: Do not panic, verify first
Police have urged citizens not to panic if someone claims to be a police or government official and threatens arrest or legal action over the phone. Officials stressed that no police officer demands money over calls or messages. People have also been advised to stay alert against offers involving cheap goods, high-return investments or paid online tasks.
Victims of cyber fraud have been advised to immediately contact their nearest police station or the cyber cell so that bank accounts can be frozen in time and financial losses minimised.
