Gorakhpur: A major e-commerce investment scam has surfaced in eastern Uttar Pradesh, where fraudsters allegedly duped investors of nearly ₹3 crore by promising high and assured returns. The racket operated out of the Kotwali area, using an online business model to lure people with attractive schemes, gifts, and regular income. Based on complaints filed by victims, a case has been registered against four individuals, including the company’s director, and an investigation is underway.
According to the complaint, Abhay Kumar Tiwari, Sanjay Kumar Mishra, and Rajeev Tiwari alleged that they were persuaded to invest in an e-commerce firm named “Sundrapship Reseller Private Limited.” The accused—Krishna Chaturvedi, Sunil Singh (director), Arvind Kumar, and Manish—presented themselves as representatives of a fast-growing digital business and assured investors of safe and profitable returns.
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Victims stated that the company’s online portal displayed fake order bookings under categories like gold, diamond, and land, projecting a thriving business model. Investors were promised monthly returns ranging from 2% to 4%, with payouts scheduled every 90 days. In August 2024, the company introduced a “special scheme” offering a fixed 3% return along with an additional 5% bonus, which attracted a large number of investors.
To build credibility, the company initially made payments to a few investors through cheques. This created trust and encouraged participants to bring in more people. Individual investments reportedly ranged between ₹20 lakh and ₹90 lakh, taking the total pooled amount close to ₹3 crore.
However, after some time, the company began delaying payments. Investors were told that banking limits had been reached and payouts would be processed the following month. Despite repeated assurances, no payments were made for nearly 15 months—from August 2024 to October 2025—raising serious suspicions among investors, who then approached authorities.
The accused are also alleged to have enticed investors with expensive gifts such as scooters, laptops, televisions, tablets, and gold coins to increase participation. The business was reportedly being operated from a residential premises, lending it a false sense of local credibility. When investors demanded their money back, the accused allegedly refused payment and, in one instance, attempted to deflect pressure by accusing investors of misconduct through a recorded video. The individual later apologized at the police station, admitting fault.
Victims believe the fraud was carefully orchestrated—starting with small, timely payouts to gain trust, followed by larger investments and eventual suspension of payments. Authorities suspect that more victims may come forward, potentially increasing the total fraud amount.
Cyber experts warn that fraudsters are increasingly adopting digital platforms and e-commerce models to execute sophisticated scams. Renowned cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh notes that such frauds rely heavily on social engineering and the creation of fake digital ecosystems to win trust before extracting large sums under the lure of high returns.
Police have intensified the probe, focusing on the accused, fund trails, and identifying additional victims. Officials have urged the public to verify the authenticity, registration, and financial credibility of any company before investing, to avoid falling prey to such schemes.
