Lawyer Duped via Fake Facebook Profile in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad, August 8, 2025— A 26-year-old lawyer from Ghatlodia, Ahmedabad, has fallen victim to a cyber scam in which fraudsters impersonated his brother-in-law through a fake Facebook profile, cheating him out of ₹2.5 lakh. The incident highlights the growing menace of online impersonation and social engineering frauds across the country.

The victim received a friend request on Facebook from a profile that seemed to be his brother-in-law’s, according to the formal complaint filed at the Ghatlodia police station. He accepted the request because he thought it was real, and they soon started messaging each other.

The impostor shared a fictitious deposit receipt as “proof” of repayment and stated that they were in dire need of money. The lawyer transferred ₹2.5 lakh in several installments to different bank accounts that the scammer provided after being persuaded by the urgency and emotional appeal.

When the victim later got in touch with his real brother-in-law, who denied ever asking for money or communicating with him on Facebook, the scam was discovered. The lawyer went to the police and filed a complaint after realizing he had been tricked.

The money trail has been linked to several bank accounts by cyber experts, and investigations are still underway to find the perpetrators. In accordance with provisions of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the police have filed a case.

Authorities have reminded people to confirm people’s identities before completing any online financial transactions, even if the request seems to be from someone they know. Additionally, they recommend using the national cybercrime helpline or portal to report such incidents right away.

This case contributes to the rising number of cybercrimes in India, where social media platforms are being used to defraud people and steal money.