Kanpur | Staff Correspondent | In yet another alarming instance of rising cybercrime, five residents of Kanpur’s Chakeri area were duped of a combined ₹1.05 crore through online scams linked to herbal plant purchases, trading investments, and fake Google rating jobs. Police have registered five separate FIRs and launched an investigation, while the Cyber Cell has begun tracing the digital money trail and phone connections used by the fraudsters.
Case 1: Herbal Plant Purchase Turns Costly
The first complaint was filed by Ajay Shukla, a resident of Gayatri Nagar, Sanigawan. In June 2025, Shukla received a WhatsApp message offering “online herbal plants” for sale. Believing the sender to be a legitimate supplier, he transferred ₹5.50 lakh to the accused’s bank account. When neither delivery nor refund followed, he realised he had fallen victim to a fraud and approached the Chakeri police station.
Case 2: False Return Policy Promise – ₹12 Lakh Lost
The second victim, Yogendra Nath Tiwari of Ramadevi Neelganth Market, received multiple calls from unidentified numbers claiming to represent a financial company. The callers said he would receive his “policy returns” with interest, provided he made a few verification payments. Trusting them, he transferred a total of ₹12.21 lakh between December 24, 2024, and February 30, 2025. The fraudsters later cut off all communication.
Case 3: Fake Google Rating Job Offer
In the third incident, Ashutosh Kumar Patel of Sanjeev Nagar, Ahirwan, was promised earnings by rating businesses on Google Maps. After a few initial “tasks,” the fraudsters demanded advance deposits to continue the work. Patel ended up paying ₹5.02 lakh in multiple transactions before discovering the entire setup was fake. He has lodged a complaint at the Cyber Cell police station.
Case 4: Online Trading Trap – ₹51 Lakh Swindled
A retired resident, 60-year-old Sudhir Kumar Shukla from Shyam Nagar, Rampuram COD, was lured into an “online trading platform” that promised high returns. Over several months, he invested ₹51.53 lakh across multiple accounts. When no profit was credited and his withdrawal requests were ignored, the fraudsters stopped responding altogether.
Case 5: Share Market Scam via Fake Trading Group
In the fifth case, Anand Kumar Agarwal of Harjinder Nagar was contacted by a caller posing as a trading consultant. He was added to a so-called “trading group” on a messaging app and persuaded to invest ₹30.50 lakh. His account soon displayed a virtual balance of ₹1.30 crore. When Agarwal tried to withdraw the amount, the scammers demanded an additional ₹32 lakh investment to “unlock the funds.” Sensing foul play, he immediately filed complaints with both the Cyber Cell and Chakeri police.
Police Investigation Underway
According to the Chakeri Police Station in-charge, five separate cases have been registered and investigations are ongoing. The Cyber Cell is analysing transaction details, bank accounts, and call records linked to the suspects. Investigators believe that a single organised syndicate or network could be behind all five scams, using different methods to attract potential victims through fake investment promises.
Experts Warn of Rising Online Scams
Cybersecurity experts warn that online frauds related to investment schemes, herbal product sales, and digital trading are rapidly increasing across India. They advise citizens to avoid engaging with unsolicited links, WhatsApp groups, or phone offers promising high returns. Before making any payments, users should verify the authenticity of companies through official sources and use only government-authorised or verified platforms.
