Varanasi — Another cyber fraud case has surfaced in the city, this time involving a cement and steel trader. Deepak Kumar Pandey, a resident of Bhojubir, was allegedly cheated of ₹18 lakh by fraudsters who lured him with promises of high returns on investment.
According to police, the accused, said to be from Buxar, Bihar, persuaded Pandey to part with the money under the pretext of profitable ventures. An FIR has been registered at the Cantonment police station.
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The case comes close on the heels of a larger scam in which a school-owning couple and their family were swindled of ₹33.35 lakh in a similar scheme. Both incidents highlight a troubling pattern: quick-profit promises remain one of the most effective weapons in the fraudster’s arsenal.
A Familiar Pattern, New Prey
Experts note that the methods rarely change. Fraudsters first build trust by returning small amounts, then encourage victims to invest more, and ultimately stop payments altogether.
“It’s a game played on human psychology. In the rush to earn quick profits, people ignore basic precautions,” said cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Triveni Singh.
A Growing Threat
These cases suggest that even educated and professional classes are increasingly vulnerable. With such networks reaching smaller towns and semi-urban areas, experts warn that digital investment scams are no longer confined to India’s metros.