₹1.31 Crore CSR Fund Fraud in Lucknow: NGO Duped, FIR Registered After Court Order

Lucknow:
In a major case of cyber and financial fraud, an NGO based in Lucknow was allegedly cheated of ₹1.31 crore on the pretext of securing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds. The case came to light after the victim approached the court, following which the police registered an FIR on judicial directions.

The complaint has now been lodged at Gomti Nagar Police Station, and investigations are being carried out jointly by the local police and the cyber crime unit.

How the Fraud Was Executed

The complainant, Brijesh Tiwari, a resident of Vishal Khand, Gomti Nagar, is the secretary of Disha Manav Kalyan Evam Utthan Samiti, an NGO working since 2010 in the fields of handicrafts, environment protection, and integrated development.

According to Tiwari, in September last year he received a phone call from Amrish Mishra, a resident of Jaunpur, who claimed he could arrange CSR funding for the organisation. On September 14, Mishra arrived in Lucknow along with his associates.

The accused allegedly gained the NGO’s trust by showing documents related to CSR funding provided to several organisations in Delhi and Haryana. Using these documents, they obtained access to the NGO’s bank account details.

Money Routed Through Multiple Accounts

Police said the accused stayed in various hotels in Lucknow between September 14 and 18, during which time the NGO’s bank account was misused.

Between September 15 and 19, a total amount exceeding ₹1.31 crore was credited into the account and subsequently transferred to multiple bank accounts and digital wallets. The accused reportedly fled from the hotel on the night of September 19.

On September 20, the victim immediately got the NGO’s bank account frozen.

FIR Registered After Police Inaction Alleged

The complainant alleged that despite submitting written complaints at the Cyber Crime Police Station Hazratganj, Gomti Nagar Police Station, and the Police Commissioner’s Office, no FIR was initially registered.

Left with no alternative, the NGO approached the court. Acting on the court’s directions, Gomti Nagar police finally registered the FIR and initiated a formal investigation.

Police officials said efforts are underway to trace the beneficiaries of the transferred funds and identify all individuals involved in the fraud.