Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Cyberabad Police Recover ₹1 Crore in WhatsApp Impersonation Scam
A saree shop accountant received a WhatsApp message that looked like it came from the shop owner.
The message asked him to transfer a large amount of money.
The accountant believed it and sent ₹1 crore.
Police said the account and picture used in the message were fake.
Investigators followed the money through a company bank account.
They arrested Deepak Kumar in Lucknow.
The full amount was recovered and returned within 10 days.
Police advised people to verify money requests through another communication channel and report fraud to 1930 or the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
An accountant allegedly transferred ₹1 crore after receiving a fake WhatsApp request impersonating a saree shop proprietor.
The money was sent from the victim’s Karur Vysya Bank account to an IndusInd Bank account on August 4, 2026.
Police traced the funds through a corporate current account in the name of Royal Moda Pvt. Ltd., allegedly used as a mule account.
Deepak Kumar, 37, of Lucknow, was arrested on August 8 and later remanded to judicial custody in Cyberabad.
Police recovered and restored the entire amount by August 14 and are searching for other accused persons.
- Who
- Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police, a saree shop accountant, and accused Deepak Kumar, 37.
- What
- A WhatsApp impersonation scam allegedly caused the transfer of ₹1 crore, which police recovered and restored to the victim.
- When
- The fraudulent transfer occurred on August 4, 2026; Deepak Kumar was arrested on August 8, and the money was restored on August 14.
- Where
- The case involved a saree retail outlet in Hyderabad and an accused arrested in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh.
- Why
- Fraudsters allegedly used the saree shop proprietor’s name and WhatsApp display picture to persuade the accountant to transfer money.
- Fraud amount
- ₹1 crore
- Fraud method
- A forged WhatsApp profile allegedly impersonated the saree shop proprietor.
- Transfer date
- August 4, 2026
- Arrest
- Deepak Kumar, 37, was arrested in Lucknow on August 8.
- Account trail
- The money was routed through a corporate current account held in the name of Royal Moda Pvt. Ltd.
- Recovery
- The entire amount was secured and restored to the victim on August 14.
- Reporting channels
- Police advised cyber-fraud victims to call 1930 or use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.
