Cyber police in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, have successfully recovered Rs 4.83 lakh for a local woman who fell prey to an online fraud originating from Facebook. The swift intervention by the cyber cell under the Wave City police station limits ensured that the entire swindled amount was retrieved and returned to her bank account.
Fraud Triggered via Social Media Link
The victim, identified as Shashikala, a resident of Mansarovar Park in the Lalkuan area, had engaged with an advertisement or link on Facebook. While attempting to execute an online payment through the link, cybercriminals compromised her account details and siphoned off Rs 4,83,000. Realising she had been duped, she acted promptly instead of panicking.
Rapid Action and Freezing of Funds
On 18 July 2026, Shashikala formally lodged a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). Acting on the alert, the cyber cell unit at Wave City police station initiated immediate measures. The police team established swift communication with the concerned banking authorities, managing to place a freeze on the siphoned funds before they could be withdrawn. Persistent follow-up efforts culminated in the full amount of Rs 4,83,000 being restored to her account on 10 October 2026. Following the recovery, the victim expressed gratitude to the police team.
Police Issue Advisory on Digital Transactions
In the wake of the incident, Ghaziabad Police issued a public advisory cautioning citizens against unverified digital transactions on social platforms. Authorities advised users never to click on untrusted web links or transfer funds to unknown entities. In case of any fraudulent deduction, victims are urged to report the incident immediately on the NCRP portal or approach their nearest police station, as rapid reporting significantly raises the likelihood of freezing and recovering lost money.
Recent Crackdown on Fake Insurance Syndicate
The recovery comes amid sustained enforcement against cyber fraudsters in the district. Recently, a joint operation by the Crime Branch and the Cyber Crime police station led to the arrest of 7 individuals operating a syndicate that cheated victims of over Rs 40 lakh using fake insurance policies promoted via Google ads. Law enforcement personnel had seized 4 mobile phones, 2 ATM cards, 2 chequebooks, 1 passbook, and Rs 3000 in cash from that gang.
