Kanpur: A major case of internal fraud has come to light in the online shopping sector, where two employees exploited their in-depth knowledge of the company’s system to siphon off nearly ₹1.49 crore from its digital wallet. The operation was executed with calculated precision, primarily during late-night hours, ensuring that no immediate suspicion was raised. Following the revelation, both accused have been arrested, while investigations into their network and assets are ongoing.
The case surfaced after the company’s co-founder noticed suspicious and repeated transactions from the wallet and filed a complaint. It was revealed that Rahul Kushwaha and Vishal Kannaujia, both employed at the company’s warehouse, were the key masterminds behind the fraud. Their familiarity with the company’s digital infrastructure and transaction processes enabled them to manipulate the system undetected for several months.
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OTP Alerts Pushed Back During Late-Night Transactions
Investigators found that the accused specifically targeted the OTP (One-Time Password) authentication system to execute unauthorized transactions. OTPs were typically sent to official email accounts of company authorities. However, the accused carried out transactions late at night when officials were unlikely to notice. By the time daily data synchronization occurred the next morning, OTP alerts had been pushed far back, delaying detection.
Further interrogation revealed a layered money trail designed to avoid suspicion. Initially, the siphoned funds were transferred to bank accounts of relatives and acquaintances. These funds were then gradually routed to the personal accounts of the accused’s close contacts. Vishal Kannaujia alone transferred approximately ₹40 lakh to his wife Jyoti’s account and ₹38 lakh to his girlfriend’s account.
Stolen Funds Used for Land, Car and Restaurant
Police investigation has confirmed that over a span of six months, the accused embezzled a total of ₹1.49 crore using this method. The illegally acquired money was used to purchase a plot in Kanpur Dehat, an old car, and to establish a restaurant named “Foody Junction” in the Kakadeo area. Authorities have initiated proceedings to seize these assets as part of the recovery process.
At the time of arrest, officials recovered four mobile phones, a laptop, a tablet, and ₹48,900 in cash from the accused. These devices were actively used for online banking and UPI transactions. Digital forensic teams are now examining these gadgets to gather further evidence and trace the full extent of the operation.
IPL Betting Losses Under Investigation
A significant aspect of the case is the accused’s involvement in betting activities. During questioning, it emerged that they had lost approximately ₹40 to ₹50 lakh during IPL betting. Investigators believe this financial loss may have motivated them to orchestrate the fraud in an attempt to recover their money. It has also been revealed that part of the stolen funds was lent to other individuals, which is currently under investigation.
