Lucknow NGO Falls Victim to Rs 1.31 Crore Cyber Fraud in CSR Funding Scam
In a shocking incident of cyber crime, fraudsters have allegedly siphoned off a staggering sum of Rs 1.31 crore from the bank account of a Lucknow-based non-governmental organisation (NGO). The elaborate scam unfolded after the office-bearers of the NGO were lured with promises of securing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for their environmental and holistic development work.
The Deceptive Promise of CSR Funding
The fraudulent scheme began in September when Brijesh Tiwari, the secretary of Disha Manav Kalyan Evam Utthan Samiti, received a phone call from an individual identifying himself as Amrish Mishra from Jaunpur. Mishra claimed he had the connections and expertise to facilitate CSR funding for the NGO, which has been actively working in the fields of environmental protection and holistic development since its establishment in 2010.
On September 14, Amrish Mishra arrived in Lucknow along with his associates. Under the guise of processing the funding proposal, he allegedly managed to obtain the sensitive bank account details of the NGO. This critical information paved the way for the subsequent financial heist.
The Swift and Stealthy Financial Drain
Between September 15 and 19, a substantial amount exceeding Rs 1.31 crore was credited into the NGO's bank account. However, this influx of funds was short-lived. Soon after the deposit, the fraudsters allegedly executed a series of transactions, transferring the entire sum to multiple bank accounts and various digital wallets. The speed and precision of these transfers indicate a well-planned operation aimed at quickly moving the money beyond easy traceability.
Discovery and Initial Hurdles in Seeking Justice
The NGO became suspicious when they noticed irregular and unauthorized transactions in their account. Acting swiftly to mitigate further loss, they froze the bank account on September 20. The complainant, representing the NGO, alleged that despite promptly approaching the Hazratganj Cyber Crime Police Station and the Police Commissioner's Office, no First Information Report (FIR) was registered initially. This delay added to the distress and complications in the case.
It was only later, after the intervention of the court, that the Gomtinagar police finally registered an FIR in the matter. This step marked the formal beginning of the legal and investigative process to address the cyber fraud.
Ongoing Police Investigation
Police officials have confirmed that a detailed investigation is currently underway. The primary focus of the probe is to:
- Trace the complex money trail left by the fraudsters.
- Identify all beneficiary accounts that received the siphoned funds.
- Track down and apprehend the accused individuals involved in this sophisticated scam.
This case highlights the growing threat of cyber crimes targeting charitable and non-profit organisations, exploiting their need for funding and trust in potential benefactors. Authorities are urging all NGOs and similar entities to exercise extreme caution when sharing financial information and to verify the credentials of individuals offering unsolicited funding assistance.
