Vadodara: A Vadodara-based businessman was duped of Rs 19.75 lakh after cybercriminals impersonated a Dubai-based company from which material had been ordered and diverted a payment to a fraudulent bank account.The complainant, Indrajit Basu (32) approached the Cyber Crime police station alleging that the accused conspired to cheat him between May 25 and July 13, 2026. The case relates to an online purchase of doors and windows from True Sea Services FZC, Dubai.Basu had contacted the company through its website and the email address for purchasing the material. On March 10, he transferred $11,216.21 as an advance payment through SWIFT to the company’s bank account.During the period when the material was being prepared, an unidentified person allegedly changed the supplier’s genuine email address from inquiry@trusea.ae to the lookalike address inquiry@trusea-ae.com. The altered email was then used to send new bank account details in the name of True Sea Services F.Z.C.The new account was shown as being with First Abu Dhabi Bank PJSC, with IBAN AE530351431007089917002 and the bank address listed as Fab Building, Khalifa Business Park, UAE.Acting on the communication, Basu processed the documents for the payment and, on June 9, transferred US $20,830 online.The amount was equivalent to approximately Rs 19.75 lakh. The money was transferred to the bank account provided through the fraudulent communication and was not returned to the complainant. The accused used electronic means and acted in concert to induce the complainant to make the transfer and subsequently retain the money.Cyber Crime Police registered the complaint on Thursday night under sections of BNS and Information Technology Act. The accused include the person using the email mentioned in the complaint, the holder and user of the bank account into which the money was transferred, and others allegedly involved in the criminal conspiracy.
