Banda. A young man in Banda, Uttar Pradesh, was allegedly cheated of ₹5.46 lakh after cybercriminals lured him with a work-from-home and online earning opportunity through Telegram. The fraudsters allegedly contacted him using the name of a private company and initially assigned him small tasks. They also sent some money to his account, helping them gain his confidence. Once the victim trusted the arrangement, the accused allegedly persuaded him to deposit increasingly larger amounts into different bank accounts.
Anant Nigam, a resident of Gularnaka in the Kotwali Nagar area, told police that he was contacted on Telegram in the name of ‘STOCKIEFY SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED’. The people communicating with him allegedly offered work that could be completed from home and promised earnings in return. During the initial stage, Nigam was given certain tasks and received payments after completing them. This reportedly convinced him that he was dealing with genuine representatives of a legitimate company.
Proposal for Conducting Cyber Crisis Drill, Tabletop Exercise (TTEx) & CCMP Readiness Exercise
The fraudsters allegedly exploited that trust and later persuaded him to deposit money for different purposes linked to the work. According to the complaint, Nigam eventually transferred a total of ₹5.46 lakh into multiple bank accounts. One of the accounts into which the money was allegedly transferred was reportedly held in the name of Amit Yadav.
Police are now examining the ownership and operation of the bank accounts used in the transactions and investigating whether the money was subsequently moved to other accounts. Investigators are also tracing the Telegram communications to identify the people behind the alleged fraud.
Trust Built Through Initial Payments
Cybercriminals involved in online job scams often begin by offering victims small tasks and making initial payments. This creates an impression that the opportunity is genuine. After establishing trust, the fraudsters may demand money in the name of deposits, commissions, higher returns or completion of additional tasks.
The Banda case allegedly followed a similar pattern. The victim was first given work and received payments, after which he was allegedly instructed to transfer money repeatedly into different bank accounts. By the time he suspected that something was wrong, he had already transferred lakhs of rupees.
After realizing that he had allegedly been defrauded, Nigam approached the police. Details of the bank accounts used for the transfers and the Telegram communications were provided as part of the complaint.
Case Registered Under BNS
A case was registered at Kotwali Nagar police station on September 8, 2026, based on Nigam’s complaint. Police registered the case under Sections 318(4) and 316(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The FIR has been registered under number 0448/2026.
Investigators are examining the bank transactions, identifying the recipients of the money and tracing the individuals who allegedly contacted the victim through Telegram. Police are also checking whether ‘STOCKIEFY SERVICES PRIVATE LIMITED’ was genuinely connected to the people who approached the victim or whether the company’s identity was allegedly misused to make the fraud appear legitimate.
The investigation is focused on reconstructing the complete money trail and determining how many people were involved in the suspected network. Bank account records and digital communication are expected to provide important leads in identifying the alleged perpetrators.
The case also highlights the risks associated with online work-from-home offers that require applicants to deposit money in advance. People should independently verify a company’s identity, registration and official contact details before accepting such offers. Any demand for money in exchange for a job, higher earnings or release of supposed commissions should be treated as a major warning sign.
Anyone who becomes a victim of cyber fraud should immediately inform their bank and report the incident through the national cybercrime helpline 1930 to improve the chances of stopping or recovering the funds.
https://www.linkedin.com/company/policetechnology
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.
