Pune Law Student Scammed ₹1.41 Lakh in Crypto Fraud

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A 23-year-old law student in Pune was reportedly defrauded of approximately ₹1.41 lakh after a suspect impersonated a female individual on Snapchat, leveraging a Chandigarh-based influencer’s photograph to establish a deceptive online identity.

Extended Communication Strategy to Foster Trust

The victim received a Snapchat contact request on October 10, 2025, from an account labeled “Princika Joshi.” The individual behind the account used a female voice to engage in regular conversations, gradually cultivating trust over a six-month period. During this time, the suspect introduced the victim to cryptocurrency trading, emphasizing potential high returns. This method allowed the scammer to establish credibility before proposing financial transactions.

Cryptocurrency Transfer to Private Wallet

Following the suspect’s guidance, the victim created an account on Binance and began purchasing cryptocurrency with assistance from an online agent. The scammer instructed the victim to transfer the digital assets to a private wallet linked to the “Princika Joshi” profile. Between January 9 and March 24, 2026, the victim executed multiple transactions, transferring cryptocurrency valued at ₹1.41 lakh. Funds were sourced from the victim’s personal wallet, as well as accounts belonging to a relative and the online agent. No returns were received, and the initial investment was not recovered.

Verification via Google Lens Exposes Deception

After the promised profits failed to materialize, the victim initiated an investigation. On July 19, 2026, he used Google Lens to analyze the profile photo associated with the Snapchat account. The search revealed the image belonged to a Chandigarh-based influencer, who had not authorized its use. Upon confronting the account holder, the associated social media profiles were swiftly deleted, confirming the identity as fabricated.

Arrest of Suspect Linked to Pune

The victim reported the incident to authorities, prompting a digital investigation. Cybercrime units traced the scam to Kunal Jitendra Admane, a 25-year-old resident of Pune’s Parvati area linked to the hotel management sector. Admane was arrested on August 31. Investigators are examining his electronic devices, social media activity, and cryptocurrency transactions to determine if additional victims were targeted using similar tactics.

Ongoing Probe into Potential Wider Scheme

Police are investigating whether Admane operated other fake identities or employed comparable cryptocurrency schemes against other individuals. The case underscores vulnerabilities in online identity verification, voice manipulation, and digital asset security. Cybercrime experts note that scammers increasingly rely on extended social engineering to build trust before initiating financial exploitation. Authorities advise the public to independently verify the identities of individuals encountered on social media, especially when discussing financial transactions. Users are urged to scrutinize investment platforms, avoid transferring cryptocurrency to private wallets based solely on online interactions, and remain wary of promises of guaranteed or unusually high returns. The case remains under active investigation, with further details expected as the judicial process unfolds.