Two major cyber fraud cases reported in Uttar Pradesh’s Kanpur have once again exposed the growing threat of digital scams being carried out in the name of online investments and part-time jobs. In one case, a businessman allegedly lost ₹2.22 crore after being lured into fake IPO and stock market investments, while in another incident, a private employee was duped of more than ₹9 lakh through a fraudulent online job scheme. Investigators say cyber criminals used WhatsApp groups, fake trading platforms, and manipulated profit figures to gain the victims’ trust before siphoning off large sums of money.
₹2.22 Crore IPO‑Trading Scam in Azad Nagar
The first case was reported from Kanpur’s Azad Nagar area, where solar battery businessman Arvind Bagla allegedly became a victim of an elaborate investment scam. According to the complaint, in January 2026, a woman identifying herself as Vaidehi Deshmukh contacted him through WhatsApp claiming to represent an investment advisory firm.
The woman allegedly promised to provide shares at prices 10 to 15 percent lower than market rates and assured unusually high returns through IPO and stock market investments. Soon after, the businessman was added to a WhatsApp group where regular trading tips, investment advice, and so-called market analysis were shared to create an impression of legitimacy.
Investigators said the fraudsters later sent a link that led the victim to download a fake trading platform on his mobile phone. An online investment account was allegedly created in his name, and the app initially displayed rising profits and successful transactions to strengthen his confidence in the scheme.
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The victim alleged that the cyber fraudsters also shared forged documents, fake agreements, and fabricated papers claiming registration with market regulator SEBI. Over time, he was persuaded to invest in various schemes, including mutual funds, IPO allocations, and fixed deposit plans.
Police said the businessman eventually transferred a total of ₹2.22 crore through multiple transactions after being convinced that his investments were generating substantial returns. However, when he later attempted to withdraw the funds, the requests reportedly failed, and he was eventually removed from the WhatsApp group. Realising that he had been cheated, the victim approached the cyber police station and filed a formal complaint.
₹9 Lakh Part‑Time Job Task‑Scam in Barra
The second case surfaced from Kanpur’s Barra area, where Ajay Kushwaha, a private employee, allegedly lost more than ₹9 lakh in a fake part-time job scam. According to the complaint, he received WhatsApp messages on March 9 from unknown numbers offering work-from-home opportunities with easy earnings.
Initially, the fraudsters assigned simple tasks such as reviewing YouTube videos and sending screenshots as proof of completion. To gain his confidence, they transferred small amounts of money into his account, including ₹200 and later ₹6,500, after he completed the initial tasks.
Once trust had been established, the scammers introduced him to a platform called “Oasis,” which they described as a trading and prepaid task portal. The victim was then asked to deposit money in order to complete higher-value tasks and unlock larger commissions.
Believing the scheme to be genuine, Kushwaha allegedly deposited around ₹9.09 lakh in multiple installments. Later, when he attempted to withdraw the earnings, the platform began demanding additional payments in the name of taxes, verification charges, and clearance fees. Suspecting fraud, he filed complaints with the cyber helpline and local police authorities.
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Investigators said both frauds followed a similar pattern in which cyber criminals used social engineering tactics to first build trust and then manipulate victims into transferring large sums of money. Police are currently tracing the bank accounts, mobile numbers, payment gateways, and digital wallets linked to the transactions.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said cyber criminals are increasingly using sophisticated psychological manipulation techniques in investment and online job scams. “Fraudsters first create confidence by showing small profits or making minor payments to victims. Once trust is established, they push victims into making larger investments. People should never trust unknown trading apps, WhatsApp investment groups, or online earning schemes without proper verification. Investments should only be made through SEBI-registered platforms,” he said.
