Ludhiana businessman duped of Rs 20 crore in Crypto scam triggered by Facebook friend request
Babushahi Bureau
Ludhiana (Punjab), April 21, 2026: In a major cyber fraud case, a Ludhiana-based businessman has allegedly been duped of ₹20 crore in a sophisticated cryptocurrency scam that began with a Facebook friend request.
The victim, identified as Jagdeep Singla, was reportedly targeted in May 2025 after receiving a friend request from a profile under the name “Anamika Roy” on Facebook. What started as casual online interaction soon turned into a calculated financial trap.
According to information, the fraudsters gradually gained his trust and introduced him to cryptocurrency trading, promising high returns through an “international platform.” He was directed to create an e-wallet on a website named “Konex VIP 2,” which appeared to be a legitimate trading platform but was allegedly a cloned interface designed to deceive.
Initially, small investments showed fabricated profits on the dashboard, convincing the victim of the platform’s authenticity. Encouraged by these fake returns, he continued to invest larger sums over time, eventually transferring around ₹20 crore.
The scam came to light when he attempted to withdraw the funds and realised that the displayed balance was fictitious and inaccessible.
Cyber experts have reiterated that such scams often rely on social engineering tactics—building trust before introducing investment opportunities. Authorities have repeatedly cautioned against accepting requests from unknown individuals on social media and investing in unverified platforms.
Police have registered a case and handed over the investigation to the cyber cell, which is now examining digital trails and transaction records to trace the accused.