Fake WhatsApp Profile Used to Impersonate Company Director, ₹3 Crore Fraud in Changodar

Ahmedabad: A cyber fraud involving the alleged impersonation of a private company's director on WhatsApp led to the transfer of ₹3 crore from the company's bank account. Prompt action by Ahmedabad Rural Police and the cyber team helped freeze ₹2.94 crore of the amount. Following a court order, ₹2.88 crore was returned to the company, while the process to recover the remaining amount was continuing, according to police.

Fake WhatsApp Profile Used in Fraud

According to police, the incident took place on August 18 at a pharmaceutical company operating within the Changodar police station limits. The company's accountant received messages from an unknown WhatsApp number that allegedly used the director's photograph and profile details.

The impersonator first sought information about the company's bank balance and later instructed the accountant to transfer ₹3 crore to a specified bank account. The accountant, who had been working with the company for several years, believed the communication was genuine and carried out the transaction. Police said such high-value transactions were part of the company's normal business operations, which may have made the transfer appear less unusual.

Fraud Came to Light After Contact With the Actual Director

The fraud was detected after the transaction when the accountant contacted the company's actual director. It was then discovered that the director had not issued any such instruction. The company immediately informed the police, following which efforts were initiated to trace and freeze the beneficiary accounts.

₹2.94 Crore Frozen, ₹2.88 Crore Returned

Teams from Changodar Police, the Ahmedabad Rural Local Crime Branch and the cyber unit coordinated with banks to trace the movement of the funds. Police said ₹2.94 crore out of the ₹3 crore transferred was frozen within about four to five hours of the fraud being reported. A court order was subsequently obtained for the release of ₹2.88 crore to the complainant company. The remaining ₹6 lakh was still under recovery and banking procedures, according to police.

Money Trail Under Investigation

Police said the initial ₹3 crore was transferred to a bank account in Guntur district of Andhra Pradesh. From that account, two transactions of ₹6 lakh each were subsequently transferred to accounts in Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.

Investigators are examining whether the account in Andhra Pradesh was being used as a mule account or whether its holder had a direct role in the alleged fraud. Police teams are examining the relevant banking records and transaction history to determine the involvement of the account holders.

Investigation Into the Wider Network Continues

The police investigation is continuing to identify the people behind the alleged WhatsApp impersonation and to establish the role of individuals whose bank accounts were used in the transaction. The money trail across Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir is also being examined.

The case highlights the risk of impersonation-based cyber fraud in which criminals attempt to exploit workplace communication and trust. Police have advised organisations and employees to independently verify high-value payment instructions through a separate communication channel before transferring funds.

Inputs from Ahmedabad Rural Police and Changodar police records.