Indore Trader Loses ₹2.5 Lakh In WhatsApp Scam

A tile trader from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, was allegedly duped of ₹2.5 lakh by cyber fraudsters using a fake discount offer on WhatsApp. The incident occurred between August 26 and August 28, 2026, when the trader, Saddam Patel, received a promotional banner on WhatsApp advertising a one-time stock of tiles.

The fraudsters provided Patel with a detailed product catalogue PDF and negotiated the price with him. They then agreed to dispatch the goods and provided Patel with the contact and vehicle details of a driver from Shivam Road Lines. To gain Patel's trust, the fraudsters paid the innocent driver a ₹5,000 token amount to load the truck.

Patel verified the full shipment via a live video call with the driver, confirming that the order was loaded according to his specifications. The fraudster then urged Patel to transfer the funds immediately, emotionally manipulating him by claiming it was a festival day and his sisters were waiting for him at home.

Patel transferred the funds in multiple instalments using QR codes from his own account, his brother's account, his cousin's account, and a friend's account. Immediately after the final payment went through, the fraudster switched off his phone. An hour and a half later, the transport company called Patel to inform him that he had been scammed.

The transport company revealed that the scammer had staged the entire loading process using the ₹5,000 advance token. The police have registered a case under sections 318(4) and 319(2) of the BNS and are further investigating the incident to track the bank accounts and digital trail used in the crime.

This incident highlights the increasing number of cyber fraud cases in India, where scammers are using sophisticated methods to trick people into transferring funds. The use of a ₹5,000 token amount to stage a fake deal is a new tactic that is being used by scammers to gain the trust of their victims.

The police are advising people to be cautious when receiving messages or calls from unknown numbers, and to never transfer funds without verifying the authenticity of the transaction. They are also urging people to report any suspicious transactions to the authorities immediately.

The incident is a reminder that cyber fraud can happen to anyone, and it is essential to be vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect oneself from such scams. The police are working to track down the scammers and bring them to justice.

In conclusion, the incident of the Indore trader losing ₹2.5 lakh in a WhatsApp scam is a warning to everyone to be cautious when dealing with online transactions. It is essential to verify the authenticity of any transaction before transferring funds, and to report any suspicious activity to the authorities immediately.