36 Lakh Rupees Lost in Cryptocurrency Scam in Gonda District, Uttar Pradesh
Gonda, August 12, 2025 — A major cryptocurrency scam has come to light in the Gonda district of Uttar Pradesh, where an individual reportedly lost a staggering 36 lakh rupees after falling prey to fraudulent investment schemes. The victim filed a formal complaint, prompting the Cyber Crime Branch police to register a case and initiate an investigation into the matter.
The incident centers around a resident of Emiliya Gurudayal area, Shakti Pratap Johri, son of Bhanu Chand Johri, who allegedly was deceived through social media. According to police spokesperson SP Vineet Jaiswal, the victim’s written complaint led to the filing of a complaint at the Cyber Crime Branch police station connected to the Nagar Kotwali jurisdiction.
Details of the Scam
The victim recounted that he received a friend request a few days prior from a Facebook account belonging to a woman named Aditi Sharma, which he accepted. After some casual conversations, Aditi proposed an opportunity to generate profits through cryptocurrency investments. She assured that all transactions complied with Indian laws and that the invested money would remain secure.
Trusting these assurances, the victim initially transferred ₹50,000 to the account provided. To his surprise, the account returned ₹1,00,000, doubling the amount. Encouraged by this apparent profit, the victim’s trust intensified, leading him to borrow money and send additional sums of ₹5,00,000, ₹7,00,000, and ₹6,00,000 to various accounts controlled by the scammer. Furthermore, under the pretext of ‘penalty’ charges, he was compelled to send ₹6,00,000, ₹4,00,000 and ₹7,50,000 to different accounts.
In total, the victim transferred ₹36 lakh, after which Aditi Sharma reportedly switched off her phone and became unreachable. The victim tried contacting her, but her number was found to be blacklisted, further indicating fraudulent behavior.
Police Response and Investigation
Upon receiving the complaint, the local police took the matter seriously. The Cyber Crime Branch registered an FIR under the section for cheating and fraud by unknown persons. The police department has assured that a thorough investigation is underway to uncover the culprits involved in this elaborate cryptocurrency scam.
SP Vineet Jaiswal stated, “Based on the victim’s statement, a case has been registered. Our team is probing the issue carefully, and we expect to disclose details about the scam in the near future.”
Public Advisory
This case stands as a stern warning to the public about the risks associated with unverified cryptocurrency investment schemes proliferated over social media platforms. Authorities remind citizens to exercise caution, avoid transferring money to unknown parties, and verify the credentials of individuals offering such financial opportunities.
Citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or potential scams to their local police or cyber crime units promptly.
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