A serious case of cyber fraud has surfaced in Kanpur, where a man who spent several years working in Saudi Arabia was cheated of ₹47.55 lakh after being lured into fake share trading schemes. The victim, a car driver by profession, had returned home hoping to invest his hard-earned savings safely, only to lose his entire corpus within weeks to a well-planned online scam.
According to the complaint, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group that identified itself as “B-51 Monarch Networth Wealth Alliance.” The group projected itself as a professional investment forum, regularly posting messages about stock market opportunities, assured daily profits and so-called risk-free returns. Screenshots of profits, trading charts and messages from alleged investors were shared frequently, creating an illusion of credibility and success.
A few days later, a woman introducing herself as Anushree Shah, claiming to be the group’s administrator, contacted the victim over the phone. She presented herself as an investment advisor and persuaded him to invest in a scheme called “Shakti Capital Plan.” During the conversations, the victim was assured that his capital would remain completely safe and that high returns were guaranteed within a fixed period. Any mention of risk was deliberately dismissed to build confidence.
Soon after, the victim was encouraged to upgrade to various “VIP investment plans”, each requiring additional deposits. He was provided with multiple bank account details and asked to transfer money in instalments. Trusting the assurances, the victim transferred a total of ₹47.55 lakh in several transactions. For some time, a mobile-based dashboard showed apparent profits, reinforcing the belief that the investments were genuine.
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The situation took a turn when the victim attempted to withdraw either his principal amount or the displayed profits. He was first asked to pay extra money in the name of commission and processing charges. Shortly after, his account was abruptly blocked. He was removed from the WhatsApp group, and all calls and messages went unanswered, making it clear that he had been duped.
Seeking clarity, the victim contacted the Mumbai office of the company whose name was being used by the fraudsters. He received a written response stating that the company had no such WhatsApp group and that no investment scheme called “Shakti Capital” existed. This confirmation exposed the operation as a case of organised cyber fraud using fake identities and fabricated investment products.
Based on the complaint, a case has been registered against Anushree Shah, Bankim Shah, Rohit Deshmukh and Amit Tomar. Preliminary findings suggest that the accused used fictitious names, fake investment plans and digital platforms to win the victim’s trust before siphoning off the money. Investigators believe similar tactics may have been used to target other victims as well.
Cyber experts point out that people returning from overseas employment or those who have recently received large sums of money are often prime targets for such gangs. Promises of high returns, professionally designed WhatsApp or Telegram groups, and fake trading apps have become some of the most common tools used in online investment frauds.
The case serves as yet another warning against investing in schemes that are promoted through social media platforms without proper verification. Experts stress that legitimate investment firms do not operate through WhatsApp groups and never demand advance fees or commissions for withdrawals.
Authorities are now examining bank accounts, digital transaction trails and mobile numbers linked to the accused to establish the full extent of the fraud. For the victim and his family, however, the loss runs deeper than financial damage. Years of hard work abroad have vanished overnight, leaving behind not just economic distress but also lasting emotional trauma.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
