Contractor Duped of ₹80 Lakh in Fake ‘NASA Investment’ Scam; Main Accused Arrested in Gorakhpur

Gorakhpur Police have uncovered a major financial fraud in which a local contractor was cheated of ₹80 lakh through a fake investment scheme falsely linked to NASA. The prime accused, Sukanta Banerjee, has been arrested, while other members of his gang are still on the run.

According to officials, the scam began in 2019 when Banerjee, posing as a global investment advisor, approached contractor Madan Mohan Shukla. He claimed to represent an international “research project” under the U.S. space agency NASA, promising profits up to 100 times the initial investment.

To make the scheme appear genuine, Banerjee and his associates produced forged documents, fake emails, and digital contracts, assuring the victim that the investment was backed by the U.S. government. Believing the claims, Shukla transferred ₹80 lakh into accounts provided by the accused.

Police investigations revealed that the gang operated through fake agencies and shell companies across Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Bengal. Two women — one posing as a government officer and another identified as Shalini — allegedly helped channel funds through multiple bank accounts and digital wallets.

When the victim sought updates, Banerjee stopped responding. Growing suspicious, Shukla contacted NASA directly and discovered that no such investment program existed. He then lodged complaints with Gorakhpur Police, the CBI, and the Cyber Crime Cell.

During interrogation, Banerjee admitted to defrauding several investors across India under similar pretexts. Police also found he was previously booked in a 2019 cyber fraud case in Lucknow’s Mahanagar police station, where he was fined ₹10,000.

Investigators said the gang primarily targeted contractors, business owners, and government suppliers, offering fake “research-based” investment plans under names such as NASA Project, ISRO Investment Plan, and Aerospace Research Fund.

Bank accounts, phone numbers, and cryptocurrency wallets linked to the accused have been traced. Police teams have been sent to Chandigarh, Delhi, and West Bengal to nab the absconding members.

Authorities said the case highlights a sophisticated cyber fraud network operating under the guise of international investment opportunities, defrauding multiple victims of several crores nationwide.