Cyber Fraudsters Create Fake IPS ID, Trap Shantipuram Youth for ₹40,000

A new case of cyber fraud has come to light in Prayagraj, where scammers created a fake Facebook Messenger ID of IPS officer Jugal Kishore Tripathi and used it to cheat a resident of Shantipuram.

According to the information, Virendra Mani Tripathi, a resident of Gaddopur Shantipuram Lakshmipuram Colony, received a message three days ago from a Messenger ID that appeared to belong to IPS Tripathi. The fraudsters claimed that the officer’s friend, Vikas Patel, an Assistant Commandant in CRPF, had been transferred to Jammu & Kashmir and wanted to sell his household items — including an AC and a refrigerator — for ₹75,000.

Believing the message to be genuine, Virendra scanned the barcode sent by the fraudsters and transferred ₹40,000 in two installments. When the items did not arrive even after a long wait, he grew suspicious. He then searched for the real contact number of IPS Jugal Kishore Tripathi on Google and called him, only to discover that he had been cheated.

Realizing the fraud, Virendra lodged a complaint at Phaphamau police station. A case has been registered against unknown cyber criminals, and police have launched an investigation to identify and arrest the culprits.

Police have urged people to remain cautious of messages received from unknown or suspicious social media accounts and to verify the identity of the sender before making any payment.