Lucknow: A Sultanpur-based businessman was allegedly cheated of ₹24.47 lakh in an online investment scam after fraudsters posed as representatives of an international clothing brand and promised lucrative returns. The Cyber Crime Police Station has registered an FIR against unidentified accused following directions from a local court.According to the complaint, the businessman from Dariyapur received a WhatsApp message in July 2025 claiming that Uniqlo was expanding in India and offering investors an opportunity to earn two to three times their investment. He was subsequently added to a Telegram group and asked to register on a website that appeared to offer investment opportunities linked to the company.Police said the fraudulent portal displayed fabricated profits, creating the impression that investments were growing rapidly. To build trust, the victim first invested ₹10,000, which allegedly appeared to double on the platform within hours. Convinced by the returns, he transferred ₹24.47 lakh in multiple instalments during July and Aug 2025 through various bank accounts and a credit card.When he later tried to withdraw the money, the accused allegedly demanded additional payments, citing GST charges and CIBIL score-related issues. Upon verification, the businessman discovered that Uniqlo had no such investment scheme.After approaching the cybercrime helpline and police without success, he moved the court. Acting on orders of ACJM Mayuresh Srivastava, police registered a case and launched an investigation into 26 bank accounts allegedly used in the fraud.
