A simple online search for a trusted cash delivery service has turned into a costly lesson in cyber-enabled fraud for a businessman from Gujarat. In a case that highlights the growing risks associated with unverified online listings, a Gandhinagar-based chemical trader was allegedly cheated out of ₹27 lakh after fraudsters posing as angadia operators convinced him to hand over cash using a fake delivery token system.
According to a complaint registered with the Kalupur police, the victim, who runs a chemical business in Chhatral, had arranged ₹27 lakh to help his younger brother purchase a house in Bengaluru. The amount reportedly consisted of family savings along with money borrowed from relatives and friends, making the loss particularly devastating for the family.
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The fraud began when the complainant’s son searched Google for an angadia service capable of delivering cash to Bengaluru. During the search, he came across a listing operating under the name “Om Sai Angadia.” Believing it to be a legitimate business, the family contacted the phone number displayed in the listing.
Soon after, they were approached through WhatsApp calls by individuals who introduced themselves as Rahul and Sharma. The callers allegedly spoke confidently about their angadia network and assured the family that the cash could be safely delivered to Bengaluru through their established channels.
Police said the suspects instructed the family to visit an office located in Ahmedabad’s Ratanpol area and deposit the money there. To make the arrangement appear genuine, the callers provided a specific token number and explained that the cash would be released only against that token at the destination.
Trusting the information, the complainant and his wife travelled to an angadia office situated in Zaveri Chambers, Ratanpol, on March 6. There, they deposited ₹27 lakh in cash and received a token note linked to the transaction. The businessman later photographed the token and shared the image with his brother in Bengaluru, expecting the funds to be delivered shortly.
However, when the money failed to reach its intended recipient, concern quickly turned into panic. Attempts to contact the individuals who had coordinated the transfer proved unsuccessful, as their mobile phones were found switched off.
The situation became more alarming when the family approached the angadia office for clarification. According to the complaint, the office informed them that the consignment associated with the token had already been delivered in Delhi to a person identified as Ramesh. The delivery, they claimed, had been carried out based on instructions allegedly received from the same callers who had coordinated the transaction.
The complainant has accused Rahul, Sharma and Ramesh of acting in concert to divert the funds and execute a carefully planned fraud. Investigators suspect the accused may have exploited publicly available business listings and communication platforms to establish credibility before manipulating the delivery process.
Police have registered a case involving allegations of cheating and criminal breach of trust. Investigators are now examining call records, WhatsApp communications, financial trails and other digital evidence to identify the individuals involved and determine whether similar complaints have been reported elsewhere.
Cybercrime experts warn that fraudsters are increasingly combining traditional confidence tricks with digital tools such as search engine listings, messaging applications and spoofed business identities. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh has repeatedly cautioned that criminals often exploit the trust people place in online search results, creating a false sense of legitimacy before executing financial fraud.
Experts advise citizens to independently verify business credentials, visit official websites, cross-check addresses, and confirm ownership details before transferring money or handing over cash. They also recommend avoiding transactions arranged solely through phone calls or messaging applications without proper documentation and verification.
The case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly routine financial arrangements can become targets for sophisticated fraud. As police continue their investigation, authorities are urging the public to exercise caution while relying on online search results for financial or logistics services and to report suspicious activity immediately.
