Agra Trader Loses Lakhs in Fake Herbal Seeds Supply Deal

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Agra Footwear Trader Falls Victim to ₹50 Lakh Scam

A footwear trader in Agra has fallen victim to a ₹50 lakh scam involving a fake herbal seeds supply deal orchestrated by cyber fraudsters.

The Scam

The scam began on February 7 when the trader, Amit Kumar, received a phone call from an individual claiming to represent a Nagaland-based company specializing in herbal seeds. The caller offered Kumar a large consignment of seeds at a discounted rate, projecting the proposal as a lucrative venture.

Two individuals, identifying themselves as Sumit and Lakshmi, subsequently contacted Kumar and finalized a deal for the supply of 100 kg of herbal seeds valued at nearly ₹5 crore. As part of the agreement, they demanded 10% of the total amount as token money to process the order and assured Kumar of quick delivery.

Believing the proposal to be genuine, Kumar transferred approximately ₹45 lakh through RTGS from multiple bank accounts belonging to himself, his wife, and his father. He also deposited an additional ₹5 lakh in cash as part of the advance payment.

The Discovery of the Scam

However, after receiving the money, the accused began demanding additional funds and refused to dispatch the goods. When the promised consignment failed to arrive and the callers stopped responding, Kumar realized he had been duped and approached the police.

Cyber police officials are currently examining bank transaction details, call records, and other digital trails to identify the mule accounts used to receive the funds and locate the suspects.

Investigation and Precautions

Investigators suspect that the fraudsters used forged business identities and disposable mobile numbers to execute the scam. They are also analyzing whether similar complaints are linked to the same network operating across states.

The police have advised traders to verify suppliers through official registrations, GST records, and physical checks before making large advance payments, especially in high-value inter-state deals.

“The use of fake business identities and disposable mobile numbers has raised concerns about the sophistication of the scam. The fact that the fraudsters were able to convince Kumar to transfer large sums of money without delivering any goods highlights the need for traders to be cautious when dealing with unfamiliar suppliers.”

The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of due diligence when engaging in business transactions, especially those involving large sums of money. Traders are advised to verify the authenticity of suppliers and ensure that they have a legitimate business presence before making any payments. By taking these precautions, traders can reduce their risk of falling victim to similar scams.