Sikar. Four separate cases of cyber fraud have been reported in Rajasthan’s Sikar, with four young men allegedly losing a combined ₹17.13 lakh. The victims were targeted through different methods, including a fake trading investment scheme promoted through Instagram and unauthorized transactions after an alleged mobile phone compromise.
In the first case, Sikar resident Mahendra Singh told police that he came across an advertisement related to trading on Instagram. The advertisement promised attractive profits from investing in an initial public offering (IPO). After clicking on the advertisement, he was contacted by people who provided investment-related information and allegedly convinced him that he would receive substantial returns.
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Believing the claims, Mahendra transferred a total of ₹10.59 lakh into different bank accounts as instructed. However, he neither received the promised profits nor got his investment back. The people who had contacted him also became unreachable, prompting him to approach the cyber police station and file a complaint.
In the second case, Sikar resident Shriram reported an online fraud involving ₹2.04 lakh. According to the complaint, cybercriminals allegedly gained unauthorized access to his mobile phone and used his credit card to withdraw or spend ₹2.04 lakh. He approached the police after discovering the unauthorized transactions.
The remaining two cases involve Hariram and Sandeep Kumar. Hariram reported that ₹1.40 lakh had been fraudulently taken from him, while Sandeep Kumar alleged that he lost ₹3.10 lakh in a cyber fraud. Police said that the money in these cases was transferred to different bank accounts.
Although the methods used in the four cases were different, investigators are examining the bank accounts that received the disputed funds. Police are collecting transaction details, identifying account holders and tracking subsequent transfers in an effort to establish the money trail and identify those involved in the alleged fraud.
Cyber police have registered cases in all four complaints and begun an investigation. The investigation is focused on the bank accounts used to receive the money and the individuals associated with them. Investigators are also examining whether the accounts were used as part of a wider network for moving funds obtained through cybercrime.
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said online investment scams often begin with efforts to establish trust before victims are persuaded to transfer increasingly larger amounts. He advised people to independently verify investment advertisements and platforms before transferring money.
He also stressed that suspicious transactions should be reported immediately to the bank and the national cybercrime helpline at 1930. Prompt reporting can improve the chances of freezing or recovering funds before they are moved through multiple accounts.
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About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
