A Shocking Case From Raipur
A senior Chhattisgarh government officer, Deputy Director Maya Tiwari, recently became the victim of a massive cyber fraud.
It all started innocently on Facebook, where she accepted a friend request from someone who seemed genuine. Over time, this person earned her trust and convinced her to invest in an online trading platform that promised huge returns.
Believing the assurances, she transferred a total of ₹90 lakh (9 million rupees). When the promised returns did not materialize and the platform stopped responding, she realized something was wrong and immediately approached the Cybercrime Police Station in Raipur to lodge a formal complaint. Lets analyse further how tis scam operated and
How the Scam Began: A Step‑By‑Step Look
● Step 1: Building Trust Through Social Media; The fraudsters sent a friend request to Maya Tiwari, posing as a well‑off trader who had insights into lucrative investments. They spent weeks chatting, sharing fake success stories, and creating a false sense of friendship.
● Step 2: Introducing the “Investment”; After gaining her trust, they pitched an online trading platform with high returns. They showed her fake dashboards, manipulated screenshots, and promised “guaranteed profits.”
● Step 3: Collecting Money Gradually; Instead of asking for the full amount upfront, the scammers asked her to transfer small amounts first—₹2 lakh, then ₹5 lakh, then ₹10 lakh. Each time, they showed fake returns, encouraging her to invest more.
● Step 4: The Big Grab; By the time she realized something was wrong, the fraudsters had collected a staggering ₹90 lakh.
Modus Operandi of Such Scams
- Social Media Phishing: Fraudsters search Facebook/Instagram for people in good positions, then send friendly requests.
- Emotional Manipulation: They spend days or weeks chatting to build trust—this is called grooming in cybercrime circles.
- Fake Platforms: They use cloned or fake websites/apps to show fake profits and dashboards.
- Layered Payments: Instead of taking a lump sum, they ask for smaller amounts repeatedly, making it harder for the victim to suspect.
- Vanishing Act: Once the money reaches mule accounts, they disappear—often routing funds through international wallets or cryptocurrency.
What Laws Apply?
India’s criminal laws were revamped in 2023, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) replaced the old IPC. In this Raipur case, these provisions would apply:
- Section 318 BNS – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.(Punishment: imprisonment which may extend to 7 years and fine.)
- Section 319 BNS – Cheating by personation.
(Punishment: imprisonment which may extend to 3 years and fine.) - Section 61 BNS – Criminal conspiracy if multiple people were involved in planning the scam. And under the Information Technology Act, 2000 (still in force):
- Section 66D – Cheating by personation using computer resources.
(Punishment: imprisonment up to 3 years and fine up to ₹1 lakh.)
These sections empower police to register FIRs, seize digital evidence, and prosecute the accused.
Related News: A Rising Trend in India
The Raipur case is not isolated. Similar scams have been reported, like this recent cyber fraud case. Cybercrime units across India report a steep rise in online investment scams:
- Bengaluru Crypto Fraud (June 2024): IT professionals lost ₹30 lakh after being lured into fake crypto investments. Modus Operandi: Showcasing fake returns on a cloned app.
- Mumbai Matrimonial Scam (May 2024): A software engineer lost ₹25 lakh to a “prospective bride” who later claimed she was stuck at the airport and needed money.
Modus Operandi: Emotional exploitation. What do these have in common? All used trust‑building, fake platforms, and gradual financial extraction.
Practical Lessons for Everyone
Even if you are well‑educated or tech‑savvy, these scams can target you. Here’s what you should do:
● Verify Before You Trust; Don’t rely on profile pictures or smooth talk. Cross‑check the person’s credentials.
● Research Investment Platforms; Search for official licenses, reviews, and government warnings (SEBI for securities, RBI for financial products).
● Never Rush; Fraudsters often create urgency: “Limited offer!” or “Last day to invest!” Take your time.
● Use Two‑Step Verification & Secure Accounts; Enable 2FA on your social media and banking apps to prevent unauthorized access.
● Report Early; If you suspect fraud, call the cybercrime helpline 1930 or file a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in.
What Happens After Reporting?
Once you file a complaint:
- Cyber police register an FIR.
- They trace the money trail—through banks, wallets, and IP addresses.
- If the money hasn’t been moved abroad yet, they can freeze accounts.
- Digital evidence is collected, leading to arrests and charge‑sheets.
In Maya Tiwari’s case, authorities are already working with banks and national cyber agencies to trace the flow of ₹90 lakh.
Key Takeaways
The cyber fraud case of Maya Tiwari, a Deputy Director from Chhattisgarh, shows how even senior officials can be targeted online. She lost ₹90 lakh after being lured through a Facebook contact into investing in a fake online trading platform. Legally, the case falls under Sections 318 and 320 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and personation, along with Section 66D of the Information Technology Act for online deception. The scammers used a clear modus operandi—grooming her over social media, showing fake dashboards of high returns, and extracting money through gradual payments. The biggest lesson from this incident is simple yet crucial: never trust strangers online, always verify investment platforms, and report suspicious activities early to minimize losses and help authorities act in time.
Conclusion
The Raipur Deputy Director’s ordeal is a wake‑up call. Even educated, experienced people can be misled when scammers mix trust, urgency, and unrealistic returns. With the updated Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and active cybercrime cells, India’s legal system is better equipped than ever to tackle these crimes. But remember prevention is always better than cure. Stay informed. Stay alert. And share this article to help others avoid becoming the next victim.
