A resident of Kakadeo, Kanpur was cheated out of ₹9.68 lakh in an online fraud involving promises of a Customer Service Point (CSP) licence, police said on 25 February 2026. The incident highlights the continued risk of social-media and messaging-based scams that target individuals with lucrative but fraudulent offers.
According to the police complaint, the victim — Gyanendra Singh of Vijay Nagar — received a WhatsApp call on December 6, 2024 from a woman identifying herself as Madhu Sharma, who claimed she could secure him a CSP licence, which allows individuals to operate as banking service providers for financial transactions. Believing the offer, Singh began making payments via QR codes sent by the caller.
How the Scam Unfolded
The accused allegedly directed Singh to transfer money through APS Payout and DMT Wallet services. Initially, the victim paid over ₹3 lakh in instalments, but was later persuaded to send additional sums, eventually totalling ₹9.68 lakh.
After completing the transactions, Singh realised he had been deceived when the promised licence was never issued or delivered. He then reported the matter in January 2025 through the National Cybercrime Portal and also lodged a complaint with local police.
Police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act against Madhu Sharma and her associate Suraj, and are coordinating with the Cyber Cell to trace and apprehend the suspects.
FCRF Launches Flagship Certified Fraud Investigator (CFI) Program
Police Investigation and Warnings
Officials said the investigation involves tracking digital evidence such as wallet transactions, QR payment trails, and communication logs to establish the identities and locations of the accused. Police also plan to analyse any linked bank accounts or devices that may assist in quickly identifying the fraud network.
Kanpur law enforcement has warned residents to exercise caution before making payments for online licences, jobs, investments, or other opportunities promoted through unsolicited messages or calls. They emphasised that legitimate licences are issued through formal government channels and not via messages on social media or WhatsApp.
Experts stress that fraudsters often exploit the promise of official-sounding credentials and quick approvals to convince victims to transfer money. Verifying credentials independently, consulting official portals, and avoiding rapid transfers to unknown recipients are key steps in preventing such scams.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
