Haryana's Kaithal police have arrested a man in connection with an alleged cyber fraud, in which a local resident was reportedly lured into an investment scheme through a Facebook profile posing as a woman, and subsequently cheated of ₹9.50 lakh. According to the cyber police, the accused allegedly used Facebook and WhatsApp to gain the victim's confidence before directing him to a fake investment platform.
How the Trap Was Set
According to the complaint filed by Ashok Kumar of Guhla, he received a Facebook friend request in May 2026 from a profile using the name 'Nandita Sood'. After accepting the request, the two allegedly began communicating through Facebook Messenger.
The complainant said the person behind the profile later contacted him through WhatsApp and introduced him to an online investment opportunity promising attractive returns. According to the complaint, Ashok was sent a link through which he created an account on a website, initially investing a small amount and allegedly seeing profits reflected on the platform. He was also reportedly able to withdraw money at the very beginning, an early experience that allegedly convinced him the investment platform was genuine, encouraging him to invest larger amounts.
₹9.50 Lakh Transferred Across 11 Bank Accounts
Police said the alleged fraudsters provided the complainant with details of multiple bank accounts through the fake website's customer-care channel, instructing him to transfer money into those accounts in the name of investment. According to the complaint, Ashok transferred a total of ₹9.50 lakh to 11 different bank accounts during June 2026.
After these transfers, the website allegedly showed his investment growing substantially, with a balance of ₹38,49,174 displayed on the platform, giving him the impression that his investment had generated significant returns.
The Withdrawal Trap
The situation reportedly changed when Ashok attempted to withdraw the amount shown on the website. The alleged fake customer-care representatives blocked the withdrawal and told him an additional payment was required before the money could be released. Police said the accused allegedly demanded ₹7,17,296, describing it as a 25% payment or withdrawal fee.
This additional demand raised suspicion, and the complainant refused to make any further payment. Following this, the alleged fraudsters reportedly blocked his withdrawal facility completely. Ashok subsequently approached the police and reported the alleged cyber fraud.
The Arrest
The arrested accused has been identified as Anil Kumar, a resident of Nakta village in Fatehabad district. Police said he was produced before a court and sent to judicial custody. Investigators are examining his bank accounts, mobile phone, and possible links with other members of the alleged cyber fraud network.
Tracing the Money Trail
The cyber police are now examining the 11 bank accounts into which the ₹9.50 lakh was allegedly transferred. Investigators are attempting to establish who controlled these accounts, where the money was subsequently moved, and whether the accounts were being operated as part of a larger cyber fraud network, work that closely mirrors what reliable auditing services in India are designed to do, systematically tracing transactions across multiple accounts to expose exactly how fraudulently obtained funds moved through the system.
The accused's mobile phone, banking records, social media activity, and WhatsApp communications are also expected to be examined. These records could help investigators establish who actually operated the 'Nandita Sood' profile and determine Anil Kumar's alleged role in the broader transaction.
Experts Warn Against Fake Profit Displays
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said investment fraudsters often build trust by initially displaying profits or allowing small withdrawals. Once confidence is established, victims are encouraged to invest larger sums, after which additional payments are demanded in the name of taxes, processing charges, withdrawal fees, or other fabricated requirements.
He said investors should independently verify the identity of an investment platform, its company registration, bank accounts, and regulatory credentials before transferring any money. A profit displayed on a website, he stressed, should never be treated as proof that the funds actually exist in a bank account somewhere.
The investigation is now focused on tracing the ₹9.50 lakh transferred by the complainant, identifying the operators of the social media profile, and determining whether other people were involved. Police will also examine whether the arrested accused was directly involved in collecting the money, or was simply part of a larger network operating this alleged investment scam.
FAQs
Q1. How did the fraudsters initially gain the victim's trust?
The scammer used a fake Facebook profile named 'Nandita Sood' to build a relationship, later moving to WhatsApp to introduce an investment opportunity, allowing an initial small withdrawal to build credibility.
Q2. How much money did the victim lose, and how was it transferred?
Ashok Kumar transferred a total of ₹9.50 lakh across 11 different bank accounts during June 2026, based on instructions provided through the fake platform's customer-care channel.
Q3. What warning did the cybercrime expert give to potential investors?
Prof. Triveni Singh advised investors to independently verify a platform's company registration, bank accounts, and regulatory credentials, stressing that displayed profits on a website should never be treated as proof of actual funds.