Without disclosing the identity of the accused, police confirmed they have recovered Rs 21.5 lakh from his possession.
SSa city-based textile unit owner was allegedly duped of Rs 86 lakh in a cyber fraud case, the Ludhiana Cyber Crime Police arrested the main suspect, a 40-year-old Information Technology (IT) professional from West Bengal, officers said on Sunday.
The accused, who runs his own technology company, allegedly masterminded the scam and funneled stolen funds through multiple accounts.
Without disclosing the identity of the accused, police confirmed they have recovered Rs 21.5 lakh from his possession. Further investigation is underway to trace the remaining money, and identify his alleged accomplices involved in the fraud, police said.
Based on a complaint filed by 58-year-old Shrenik Jain from Dr Sham Singh Road in Civil Lines, who is the director of the textile company, an FIR was registered against the accused under sections 318(4) (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) and 319(2) (cheating by personation) under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Cyber Crime police station in December 2024, police said.
What Experts Say & Broader Fraud Patterns
- Impersonation & urgency
This aligns with the growing trend of cybercriminals impersonating trusted contacts. Similar “digital arrest” scams, where fraudsters pretend to be law enforcement, have victimized prominent personalities and ordinary citizens alike national scope
Fraud rings across India—from Kolkata to Ludhiana—are using WhatsApp, Telegram, and international SIMs to orchestrate scams spanning ₹100 crore+
Key Expert Advice & Practical Precautions
- Verify before trusting
- Always verify new contact numbers via a secondary channel—e.g., call the person you believe is texting.
- Don’t rely solely on a WhatsApp profile photo.
- Pause before action
- No genuine employer or bank will ask for urgent large transfers via WhatsApp.
- If pressured, step away and confirm independently.
- Raise awareness at work
- Train accountants, assistants, and family members to identify message impersonation.
- Set internal protocols requiring verbal confirmation for large transactions.
- Use secure communication tools
- Prefer encrypted workplace messaging or official email channels for sensitive instructions.
- Avoid mixing personal and professional communication on platforms like WhatsApp.
- Act fast if you suspect fraud
- Immediately stop transfers if suspicion arises.
- Contact the bank to freeze transactions and reach out to cybercrime cell and National Cyber Helpline 1930 or file a complaint at cybercrime.gov.in.
Why This Matters to You
- Prominent victims aren’t exempt
Even well-known individuals (like a professor, industrialist, or techie) fell prey to authoritative fraud tactics The Tribune+5The 420+5The Times of India+5The Times of India+1The Times of India+1The Times of India+4The Indian Express+4The Times of India+4. - Human deception over hacking
Most frauds rely on manipulating trust, not technical breaches. Awareness is your best defense. - Prevention saves money
Understanding how these scams work helps prevent both monetary loss and emotional distress.
Final Word from CyberSathhi.com
The ₹86-lakh Ludhiana scam shows that fraud can happen to anyone—even educated professionals. But awareness can stop it in its tracks.