Barabanki Deputy Tehsildar Duped of ₹16 Lakh in Share Market Scam

Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh: In a sophisticated cyber fraud, a Deputy Tehsildar was lured into investing ₹16 lakh in a fake share market scheme. The scammers allegedly used a WhatsApp group to gain the victim’s trust before disappearing with the money.

How the Scam Unfolded
Raj Bahadur Verma, posted as Deputy Tehsildar in Sitapur district and resident of Awas Vikas Colony, Sector 4, Barabanki, was targeted by cyber fraudsters who promised high returns ranging from 5% to 20% between October and December 2025. The scammers added him to a WhatsApp group named “Kotak Learning and Communication Group”.

Within the group, a woman named Kangana Sharma was presented as the company assistant, while Shreepal Shah was introduced as the company director. Using multiple communication channels, they persuaded Verma to transfer funds from his SBI bank account to several accounts. Over the period from October 4 to December 2, 2025, he invested approximately ₹16 lakh.

False Promises and Fabricated Gains
To build credibility, the scammers claimed Verma had been allotted 19,000 shares in a company IPO and coaxed him into depositing around ₹10 lakh. Later, the supposed share value was inflated to ₹22 lakh, and eventually, his account showed total investments worth ₹60,83,754. When Verma attempted to withdraw the alleged profits, the scammers delayed and ultimately ceased all communication from December 4 onward.

Police Action
Realizing he had been duped, Verma filed a complaint with the Cyber Cell. An FIR has been registered against Kangana Sharma and Shreepal Shah, and an investigation is underway. Cyber Police Inspector KK Yadav stated that such scammers fabricate profits to deceive investors and that the investigation includes scrutiny of bank transactions, investment platforms, and the entire network.

This incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing sophistication of cyber frauds, even targeting government officials.