Thane police register case after accountant duped in online ‘task’ scheme
Thane, Maharashtra: Khadakpada police in Thane district have registered a criminal case after a 26-year-old woman accountant was allegedly cheated of ₹6.97 lakh in an online "task" fraud that began on Telegram, a police official said on Thursday.
The victim told investigators she was added to a Telegram group between September 6 and 15 and instructed to download a link as part of a task process. She was then asked to purchase products and request buybacks, transferring money in multiple instalments. When she sought the principal amount and accrued profits, the accused demanded further payments and did not refund the money, the official said.
Following the complaint, police have named four persons — identified by the victim as Samaira, Kashvi Mehta, Avinash Mishra and Trirom — and booked them under appropriate sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act, the official added. Efforts are under way to trace and apprehend the four accused, the statement said.
"A case was registered after the woman complained of being defrauded of ₹6.97 lakh. Investigations are ongoing and suspects are being traced," the Khadakpada police official said.
How the fraud unfolded
- The victim was added to a Telegram group and asked to download a link.
- She was instructed to buy products and then request buybacks as part of the task process.
- Payments totalling ₹6.97 lakh were transferred in several steps; refunds were not honoured.
- The accused allegedly demanded additional payments and ceased communication when refund claims were made.
The Khadakpada police have not yet disclosed the precise FIR number or specific sections invoked under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, but the registration under the IT Act indicates the use of electronic means in committing the offence. Cyber-enabled 'task' and investment scams have proliferated in recent years, often using messaging platforms and social media to recruit victims and create a veneer of legitimacy.
Local context and policing response
Thane district has seen a string of digital fraud cases, with police and cyber cells increasingly urging residents to exercise caution while responding to unsolicited messaging-group invitations and links. The Khadakpada police said they are coordinating with cybercrime units to trace financial transactions and digital footprints associated with the Telegram group and the payment channels used by the accused.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim | 26-year-old woman accountant (Thane) |
| Amount lost | ₹6.97 lakh |
| Police station | Khadakpada police station, Thane district |
| Accused named | Samaira, Kashvi Mehta, Avinash Mishra, Trirom |
| Charges | Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita provisions; Information Technology Act |
Civic authorities and cybercrime experts frequently advise residents to verify the identity of online groups and administrators, avoid downloading unverified links, and refrain from routing large sums through unfamiliar payment channels. In cases involving banking or payment-related fraud, prompt reporting to the bank and filing of a police complaint can aid in freezing transactions and tracing fund flows.
The Khadakpada police urged anyone with information about the four named individuals or details of the Telegram group to come forward. Those who may have been approached by the same group or who have similar grievances are being encouraged to file complaints so that patterns can be established and victims identified.
Investigations are continuing, with the Khadakpada police coordinating tracing of the digital and financial trail while legal proceedings proceed under the registered FIR.
