Ahmedabad: A new case of cyber fraud has surfaced in Ahmedabad, where a Hyderabad-based businessman was allegedly cheated of ₹75 lakh by fraudsters who posed as a known acquaintance on WhatsApp. The accused allegedly gained the businessman’s trust by misusing the identity of a trusted person and convinced him to send cash through an Angadia service in Ahmedabad. Kalupur Police have registered a case and started an investigation.
According to police, the complainant, Rohit Kumar Narendra Kumar Jain, a resident of Rajendranagar area in Hyderabad’s Rangareddy district, runs a plywood business under the name Sumit Interior. In July, while he was travelling to China for business purposes, he received a WhatsApp message from a person claiming to be Prithviraj Kothari. The complainant knew Kothari as a respected member of his residential community.
The accused allegedly introduced himself as the acquaintance and told Jain that he urgently required ₹75 lakh in Ahmedabad. He reportedly assured him that the amount would be returned through another person identified as Ashok Jain. Since the message appeared to come from someone known to him, the complainant believed the request to be genuine and agreed to provide assistance.
The alleged fraudsters then instructed the businessman to send the cash through a person named Babubhai, who would collect the amount in Ahmedabad. Acting on these instructions, Jain arranged ₹75 lakh through a trusted associate in Hyderabad and sent the cash to Ahmedabad through an Angadia courier service.
According to police, after handing over the money, the businessman tried contacting the concerned individuals to confirm receipt of the cash and repayment details. However, after some time, all the mobile numbers became unreachable or were switched off. Following repeated failed attempts to contact them, Jain realised that he had been cheated.
The complainant alleged that the accused deliberately used the identity of his acquaintance on WhatsApp to gain his confidence and executed the fraud in a planned manner. Considering the seriousness of the matter, a zero FIR was initially registered at Rajendranagar Police Station in Telangana.
During the investigation, it was found that the cash was collected within the jurisdiction of Kalupur Police Station in Ahmedabad. Subsequently, the zero FIR was transferred to Ahmedabad for further action. Kalupur Police registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, related to cheating and criminal breach of trust.
Police have launched a detailed investigation into the suspected network. Investigators are examining mobile numbers used by the accused, WhatsApp conversations, call records, and other digital evidence. The police are also trying to identify the person who allegedly collected the cash in Ahmedabad and determine the involvement of other individuals in the fraud.
According to investigators, no arrests have been made so far in the case. Police are analysing financial transactions and digital footprints to trace the accused persons.
Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said that digital impersonation, where criminals pretend to be trusted contacts or known individuals, has become one of the major tactics used by cyber fraudsters. He said criminals first exploit the victim’s trust and emotions, then create a sense of urgency by making emergency financial requests to get large amounts transferred. Verification through direct phone calls or personal contact before making any financial transaction is extremely important.
Cyber experts said that frauds involving identity theft on WhatsApp and other digital platforms are increasing rapidly. Criminals often use social engineering techniques, collecting personal information about victims to create trust before carrying out financial fraud.
Police have appealed to citizens not to immediately trust sudden requests for money received through digital platforms, even if they appear to come from known contacts. People should verify such requests through direct communication before transferring large amounts and report suspicious digital activities to the police or cybercrime authorities.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
