Rajkot: In a stark warning of the rising risk of cyberfraud in the digital marketplace, Rajkot Cyber Crime police launched a probe after scammers cloned a local packaging firm’s identity, using fake Instagram accounts and forged invoices to cheat customers across India.Hitesh Kakadiya, 45, who runs a packaging box business in Udyog Nagar near the Aji River bridge, filed an FIR alleging misuse of his firm’s name and credentials. Kakadiya has operated the business for four years and promotes it through his legitimate Instagram handle.Police said unidentified cybercriminals created fake Instagram profiles over the past year using similar handles to impersonate the business. To appear credible, the accused used Kakadiya’s actual business address and GST number to generate forged bills and invoices.Victims, believing they were dealing with the genuine “Packaging Hub”, were asked to make advance payments for materials that were never delivered. The fraud became apparent when Kakadiya began getting calls from customers complaining about undelivered orders.One victim reported being cheated after transferring money via a QR code. Others who contacted Kakadiya included Gurpreet Kaur from Delhi, Vaibhav Chopda from Navsari and a resident of Saharanpur. Another complainant, Mehna Ibrahim, registered a case on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.The fraud not only caused losses to buyers but also severely damaged the reputation of Kakadiya’s business.Rajkot Cyber Crime Police registered a case against unidentified operators behind the fake accounts and associated bank transactions. The FIR invokes Sections 319, 336(3), 340(2) and 61(2) of the BNS, along with Section 66(c) of the Information Technology Act.
