Gorakhpur: Cyber fraudsters have duped a retired employee of a petroleum company of nearly ₹1.48 crore by luring him with promises of high returns through online trading. A case has been registered at the cyber police station following the victim’s complaint, and an investigation has been launched to trace the digital money trail and identify those behind the scam.
The victim resides near an engineering college in the AIIMS area of Gorakhpur. According to the complaint, his ordeal began when he came in contact with a woman through Facebook. After initial conversations on the social media platform, the woman persuaded him to shift the discussion to WhatsApp, where she shared details about what she described as a profitable online business opportunity.
The Promise of High Returns and a Fake Online Shop
The woman allegedly told the victim that by investing in online trading, he could earn returns of up to 20 per cent on every transaction. To reinforce her claims and build credibility, she sent him a web link through which an online shop was created in his name. The platform was presented as a legitimate digital storefront operating under the name ‘Apoorva Multibrand Showroom’, giving the impression of a genuine e-commerce or trading venture.
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Phased Investments and an Illusion of Profits
According to the complaint, once the online shop was set up, the fraudsters began encouraging the victim to invest money in phases. Trusting the apparent legitimacy of the platform and the assurances of high returns, the retired employee transferred funds through digital modes to bank accounts provided by the accused. In total, he sent ₹1,47,09,795, believing it to be an investment in the online business.
Account ‘Freeze’ and a Demand for More Money
After the transfers were completed, the victim noticed that his online account dashboard showed a balance of nearly ₹2 crore, suggesting that his investment had yielded substantial profits. This further strengthened his belief that the business was genuine. However, when he attempted to withdraw or use the displayed amount, he was informed that his account had been frozen due to technical or regulatory reasons.
The fraudsters then demanded an additional ₹50 lakh, claiming that the payment was necessary to unfreeze the account and release the funds. At this stage, the victim began to suspect foul play. When he sought further clarification, the individuals he had been communicating with started avoiding direct responses and eventually became evasive.
Police Complaint and Ongoing Investigation
Realising that he had likely fallen victim to a cyber scam, the retired employee first submitted an online complaint and later approached the cyber police station in person to file a detailed written complaint. Based on his statement, a case has been registered and a formal investigation initiated.
Police officials said they are examining bank transaction records, mobile numbers, WhatsApp chats, payment links and digital footprints associated with the case. Investigators are also trying to determine the origin of the online shop and the servers or platforms used to host it. Authorities suspect that the fraud may be part of a larger organised cybercrime network operating across regions.
Advisory Issued as Similar Scams Persist
Cybercrime investigators noted that such scams typically follow a similar pattern. Fraudsters create fake trading platforms or online stores, display inflated profits to gain trust, and then prevent withdrawals by citing account freezes or compliance issues. Victims are then pressured to make additional payments under the pretext of unlocking their funds.
Police have issued an advisory urging citizens to exercise extreme caution when approached with investment or business offers on social media or messaging platforms. They stressed that individuals should verify the authenticity of any online trading platform, check company registrations, and rely only on officially recognised channels before investing money.
Authorities have also advised people to report any suspicious activity immediately to the cyber helpline or local cyber police station, as early reporting can help trace transactions and prevent further losses.
The investigation is ongoing, and police said efforts are being made to identify the perpetrators through digital evidence and banking records.
