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Lucknow Cyber Crime Cell and Krishna Nagar police nabbed two interstate fraud masterminds from northwest Delhi, uncovering a staggering Rs 50 crore scam that fleeced over 120 traders across 12 states. Dropouts Mohit Joshi (26) and Gulbir (33) ran phantom interior decoration firms, peddling artificial grass and decor at dirt-cheap rates via fake WhatsApp profiles. Saturday’s raid exposed their two-year rampage using forged invoices and mule accounts, triggered by a Rs 1.65 lakh complaint.
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Modus Operandi: From Fake Profiles to Ghost Deliveries
Posing as big-shot suppliers, the duo scoured online directories for interior dealers, bombarding them with WhatsApp pitches for synthetic grass at 50-70% below market prices. Trust-building tricks included:
- Stockpiled product images ripped from Google.
- Bogus GST invoices via apps like GST Invoice Manager, Vyapar.
- Phony transport bills from Bilty Maker apps.
Victims wired advances to gaming wallets or mule banks—poof! Phones switched off, SIMs trashed, WhatsApp nuked. No goods, no trace. National Cyber Crime Portal flagged 11 complaints initially, but probes peg total at Rs 50 crore from 120+ hits.
Victim Sparks Massive Probe: Rs 1.65 Lakh Lead to Empire Bust
The unraveling began October 2, 2025, when a trader reported losing Rs 1.65 lakh after fake grass invoices and a sham travel bill. ACP Saumya Pandey’s team traced burner SIMs, recovering numbers linked to nationwide frauds. Interrogation confessions revealed multi-state ops—no legit business, just Class 12 smarts weaponized for crime.
Mobile forensics uncovered 12-state victim trails, with Lucknow alone logging Rs 5+ crore. Police estimate unreported cases push figures higher, marking this as UP’s biggest supply-chain cyber bust.
Arrest Drama and Seizure Haul: Digital Trails Lead to Delhi Hideout
Raids hit northwest Delhi Saturday, nabbing Joshi and Gulbir mid-plot.
Seized haul:
- 15 burner phones and 20 fake SIMs.
- Laptops loaded with invoice generator apps.
- Ledgers tracking Rs 1 crore confirmed frauds.
- Mule account details for 50+ banks.
FIR under BNS 318/ IT Act; accounts frozen. Cops hunt more mules, suspect wider syndicate. “These dropouts outsmarted pros—tech-savvy but ethically bankrupt,” quipped ACP Pandey.
Red Flags & Defense: Don’t Fall for Supply Scams in 2026
India’s cyber losses hit Rs 25,000 crore in 2025—supply frauds spiked 40%.
Spot and stop:
- Verify suppliers on MCA/GST portals; demand physical visits.
- Insist registered payments, not advances to unknowns.
- Scan invoices via GSTIN verify; shun app-generated fakes.
- Report to 1930 instantly—80% recovery if under 24hrs.
As Lucknow tightens nets, this duo’s fall warns: Cheap deals often cost crores.
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.
