A major cyber fraud case has surfaced in Chandigarh, where a businessman from Manimajra was cheated of nearly ₹1.96 crore after fraudsters impersonated his company’s Managing Director (MD) on WhatsApp. The incident highlights the growing threat of social engineering attacks targeting corporate financial operations.
Fraudsters Posed as Company MD on WhatsApp
According to officials, the cybercriminals created a fake WhatsApp profile using the display picture of the company’s Managing Director. Using this impersonated identity, they contacted the company’s accountant, identified as Neha, and sent urgent instructions requesting fund transfers for supposed official purposes.
The messages appeared legitimate, as they mimicked the communication style and authority of the senior executive, leaving little room for suspicion.
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Accountant Transfers Funds Under Pressure
Believing the instructions to be genuine, the accountant proceeded to transfer a total of ₹1.96 crore to a private bank account provided by the fraudsters.
The transfer was carried out promptly due to the urgency conveyed in the messages, a common tactic used in impersonation scams to bypass internal verification processes.
Fraud Discovered After Verification
The scam came to light when the accountant later confirmed the transaction with the actual Managing Director, who denied issuing any such instructions or requesting funds.
Realising that they had fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, the company immediately reported the incident. The case triggered concern within the organisation, given the scale of the financial loss.
Social Engineering Tactics Behind the Fraud
Cybersecurity experts note that the fraud follows a classic “impersonation and urgency” social engineering model. Attackers often study organisational hierarchies and communication patterns before targeting employees responsible for financial transactions.
By using a familiar identity and creating a sense of urgency, fraudsters manipulate victims into acting quickly without following standard verification protocols. Such attacks frequently rely on psychological pressure rather than technical hacking, making them difficult to detect in real time.
Cyber Police Launch Investigation
Following the complaint filed by the businessman, the Chandigarh Cyber Cell has registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Police officials are currently tracing the bank account where the funds were transferred and analysing digital evidence to identify the perpetrators. Authorities confirmed that efforts are underway to track the accused involved in the impersonation scam.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
