Lucknow Man Loses Rs 1.92 Crore in Elaborate WhatsApp Scam
A Lucknow resident fell victim to a massive cyber fraud scheme after developing an online friendship on WhatsApp. The man lost a staggering Rs 1.92 crore in what began as casual conversations but turned into a sophisticated financial scam.
Fake Identity Revealed After Arrest
Police made a shocking discovery during their investigation. The person presenting as Bhavika Shetty on WhatsApp was actually a man using a fabricated female identity. Authorities identified the accused as Imran Ghazi, aged 34, from the Mishripur Depot area under Gudamba police station limits.
Officers arrested Ghazi on Tuesday following a detailed probe. The arrest came after the victim, Shalabh Pandey, filed a formal complaint on June 2, 2025. Pandey detailed how the accused gradually built trust through regular WhatsApp conversations before introducing investment opportunities.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraudulent scheme followed a familiar pattern seen in many online scams. Ghazi, posing as Bhavika Shetty, initiated contact on WhatsApp and maintained regular communication with Pandey. Over time, the conversations shifted toward financial matters.
The accused convinced Pandey to invest in schemes promising exceptionally high returns. Trusting these claims completely, Pandey began transferring money to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudster. The total amount transferred reached Rs 1.92 crore before Pandey realized he had been deceived.
Police Investigation Uncovers Elaborate Setup
Cyber crime police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. This specific section addresses cheating through personation using computer resources.
During interrogation, Ghazi revealed crucial details about his operation. After his original Axis Bank account faced freezing, he obtained forged Aadhaar and PAN cards. An associate named Shehzad helped him open multiple new bank accounts using these fake documents.
This elaborate system allowed Ghazi to continue receiving fraud proceeds despite initial setbacks. Investigators discovered that approximately Rs 54 lakh of the cheated money passed directly through Ghazi's accounts. These accounts showed transactions totaling around Rs 1.52 crore within just one month.
Evidence Recovery and Ongoing Investigation
Police recovered fake identity documents from Ghazi's possession during the arrest. These documents played a crucial role in establishing the fraudulent nature of the operation.
Authorities confirmed they are continuing their investigation to identify and apprehend other individuals involved in this fraud racket. The case highlights the sophisticated methods used by cyber criminals to exploit trust through digital platforms.
This incident serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of online relationships that quickly turn financial. Police advise citizens to exercise extreme caution when strangers propose investment opportunities through messaging platforms.
