In a shocking case of emotional and financial exploitation, a man was arrested from Hyderabad on Monday for his alleged involvement in cheating a senior citizen from Gurgaon out of a staggering Rs 2.21 crore. The fraud was perpetrated under the false pretext of funding cancer treatment for a woman's sister.
The Elaborate Scam: Fake Screenshots and Emotional Blackmail
Officials from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) revealed that the fraud was a coordinated effort between two individuals. The primary accused, a woman identified as Yangji Sherpa, alias Yana, from Nepal, allegedly met the complainant at a spa centre last year. Over the course of approximately one year, she repeatedly solicited money, claiming it was urgently required for her sister's cancer treatment.
To maintain the illusion and string the victim along, the accused employed a dual strategy of deception and coercion. She sent forged screenshots of bank transactions to create the false impression that she was repaying the funds. Whenever the senior citizen demanded his money back, she allegedly resorted to emotional blackmail, threatening to end her life.
Investigation Uncovers Second Accused and Money Trail
The case came to light after the distressed senior citizen filed a formal complaint. Following the registration of a case at Sector 40 police station, the investigation was transferred to EOW-I. Probe details uncovered the involvement of a second accused, Azhar Ahmad (30) from Hyderabad.
Investigators found that the bank account used to receive the massive sums belonged to Yangji Sherpa. Astonishingly, the mobile number used for all communication with the victim was registered in Azhar Ahmad's name. Police stated that Yangji received approximately Rs 2.18 crore from the complainant between May 2024 and April 2025.
In a bid to sustain the victim's trust, the accused sent back about Rs 18 lakh at intervals, while continuing to share fake screenshots of additional non-existent repayments. The defrauded money was later transferred from Yangji's account to Ahmad's bank account.
Arrest and Future Focus of the Probe
Azhar Ahmad was apprehended from Hyderabad on December 29. During interrogation, he disclosed that he executed the fraud in collusion with his female friend, Yangji Sherpa. Yangji remains at large, and further investigation is pending her arrest.
An EOW officer outlined the next steps, stating, "Focus will be on tracing the remaining money, identifying other possible associates, and verifying whether similar frauds were committed elsewhere." The case highlights a sophisticated scam targeting vulnerable individuals through a potent mix of fabricated medical emergencies and digital forgery.
