Mathura (Uttar Pradesh): A shocking financial fraud case has emerged from the Raya area of Mathura, where a man has alleged that he was cheated of more than ₹1 crore under the pretext of setting up a gym business. The case has raised serious concerns about how personal trust and family connections are being misused in sophisticated financial scams.
According to the complaint filed by victim Sandeep Bhanger, three individuals identified as Mukesh Kumar, his son Kanha, and associate Sunny alias Swapnesh allegedly orchestrated the fraud by first building a relationship of trust with the family. Investigators said the accused gradually convinced the victim to invest in a gym project, presenting it as a highly profitable business opportunity.
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The victim stated that his family had recently earned around ₹2 crore from agricultural produce, particularly a successful potato harvest during 2022–23. The accused allegedly became aware of this financial background and used it to design a targeted investment trap. They assured high returns and long-term business expansion, eventually convincing the victim to participate in the proposed venture.
Trust Turned Into an Investment Trap
As per the complaint, the fraud began with an initial investment of ₹50 lakh, which was collected under the name of gym setup expenses. However, instead of establishing any legitimate business, the accused allegedly expanded the financial dealings into a broader scam involving banking manipulation and document misuse.
The victim further alleged that he was taken to Indore, where he was made to sign multiple documents including Aadhaar cards, PAN details, and other financial paperwork. During this process, bank accounts were reportedly opened in his name at a Bank of Maharashtra branch in Indore. Soon after, two separate bank loans of approximately ₹50 lakh each were allegedly sanctioned and withdrawn without his informed consent.
Bank Alerts Expose Suspicious Transactions
The entire fraud came to light when the victim started receiving loan repayment alerts and transaction messages on his mobile phone. These notifications revealed that large sums had been credited and debited through accounts he claimed were opened without proper understanding or authorization. Alarmed by the sudden financial liability, he confronted the accused and demanded repayment of the money and clearance of the loans. However, no refund was made, and the accused allegedly stopped responding.
Following repeated failed attempts to resolve the matter privately, the victim sent a legal notice through his advocate, but it reportedly went unanswered. The matter was then escalated to senior authorities in Mathura, after which a formal police case was registered at the Raya police station based on official directions.
Police Probe Banking Records and Identity Misuse
Officials have confirmed that an investigation has been initiated into the case. The probe includes examination of bank records, transaction histories, loan documents, and digital evidence linked to the alleged fraud. Authorities are also verifying how multiple accounts and loans were processed and whether additional individuals were involved in facilitating the financial transactions.
Preliminary findings suggest that the case may involve structured financial manipulation, where trust-based relationships were allegedly used to gain access to sensitive banking and identity documents. Investigators are now mapping the complete flow of funds to determine where the diverted money was transferred and whether it was routed through multiple accounts.
Trust-Based Financial Manipulation
Cyber and financial crime experts note that such cases often rely on psychological trust-building rather than force or digital hacking. Victims are gradually persuaded into signing documents or sharing credentials, making the fraud difficult to detect until significant financial damage has already occurred.
