Swindled 8 million by using the boss's photo and name (TNI)
New Delhi: Cyber Criminals Exploit Senior Official's Identity to Defraud College of 80 Lakh
Cybercriminals have adopted a new method of fraud in which they misuse the names and photographs of senior officials of institutions to siphon off lakhs of rupees. In a shocking case in Delhi, cybercriminals impersonated a senior official of an educational institution and sent a WhatsApp message to the college accountant, instructing him to transfer funds immediately. Trusting the message after seeing the official's name and photograph, the accountant transferred 80 lakh directly from the college's bank account to another account without verifying the instruction. However, the Delhi Police's IFSO Unit acted swiftly, arresting the accused within just two days and securing the entire ₹80 lakh by placing a freeze on the beneficiary bank account.
IFSO DCP Gaurav Tyagi stated that a case was registered on October 27 at the Special Cell's IFSO Police Station under Sections 318(4), 319 and 340 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The complaint was filed by Abhishek Jain, Secretary-General of the Rishi Aurobindo Educational Society. The society operates Chandra Prabhu Jain College of Higher Studies and School of Law in Narela.
The investigation revealed that the cyber fraudster contacted the college accountant through WhatsApp using the name and photograph of a senior official of the institution. Posing as the senior official, the fraudster instructed the accountant to transfer ₹80 lakh immediately. Believing the message to be genuine, the accountant transferred the amount to a bank account maintained in the name of M/s N.S. Traders at IndusInd Bank without confirming the instruction over a phone call with the concerned official.
Considering the seriousness of the case, the IFSO Special Team immediately launched an investigation. Police analysed banking transactions and details related to the transfer of funds to identify the beneficiary account. Following the investigation, the police traced Naushad, a 33-year-old resident of Loni, Ghaziabad, who was reportedly the proprietor of M/s N.S. Traders. The police team arrested him in Ghaziabad on October 29, 2026. During interrogation, the accused reportedly provided information regarding the involvement of other individuals in the crime. Police are examining his disclosures and investigating the role of suspected associates.
The biggest achievement of the operation was the timely freezing of the beneficiary bank account, which enabled the police to secure the entire 80 lakh fraud amount. The police successfully protected 100 per cent of the defrauded money belonging to the educational institution. Additionally, the primary beneficiary account holder was arrested.
According to police, in such cyber frauds, criminals use the identity, name and photograph of senior officials of an institution to mislead employees. In several cases, fraudsters gain unauthorised access to WhatsApp accounts or create fake identities to pressure accountants and financial employees into transferring money hurriedly. Employees often consider the instructions genuine after seeing the official's name and photograph, resulting in financial losses amounting to lakhs of rupees.
The entire operation was carried out under the close supervision of ACP IFSO Manoj Kumar Mishra and the overall supervision of DCP-I IFSO Gaurav Tyagi. Through technical investigation, banking transaction analysis and swift action, the Delhi Police IFSO Unit successfully exposed the cyber fraud.
Delhi Police has appealed to institutions, companies and citizens not to act hastily when receiving instructions to transfer money in the name of senior officials through WhatsApp or other digital platforms. Before making any major financial transaction, individuals must directly contact the concerned official through their registered official number and verify the instruction. People are advised to avoid transferring money to unfamiliar bank accounts and immediately inform the police if they suspect cyber fraud. The investigation into the involvement of other suspects is currently underway.
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