Fake Instagram iPhone Scam Busted in Hisar 2026

New Delhi-Hisar : Expensive iPhones Offered for Rs 2,500 Used as Bait to Trap Unsuspecting Buyers; Police Recover Laptops, Bank Documents, Fake SIM Cards and Electronic Devices During Raid

In a major crackdown on rising cyber fraud cases linked to social media platforms, the Cyber Crime Police Station in Hisar has busted an alleged online scam racket operating from Bahbalpur village in Haryana. The police arrested two accused who allegedly cheated people across different states through fake Instagram advertisements offering high-end iPhones at unbelievably low prices.

The accused, identified as Saurabh and Lucky, residents of Bahbalpur village, were allegedly running multiple fake social media accounts to lure customers into purchasing costly Apple iPhones at throwaway rates. According to investigators, the duo collected money from victims through online transfers but never delivered the promised mobile phones.

Police officials said the operation was part of a wider cyber fraud network that may have targeted hundreds of people through social media platforms and fake digital payment methods. The arrests were made after the Cyber Crime Police received specific intelligence inputs regarding suspicious online activities being carried out from the village.

The accused were produced before a local court following their arrest, and the court remanded them to one-day police custody for further interrogation and investigation into the scale of the fraud.

Cyber Police Acted on Secret Information

Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Mayank Mudgil stated that the cyber crime unit received reliable information on May 13 indicating that certain individuals in Bahbalpur village were involved in large-scale online fraud operations using fake Instagram accounts.

Acting swiftly on the information, a special cyber police team conducted a raid at the suspected location. During the operation, police found both accused allegedly engaged in suspicious online activities using mobile phones and laptops.

Officials said the raid led to the seizure of several electronic devices and financial documents that are now being examined for digital evidence. The recovered items included multiple smartphones, iPhones, laptops, scanners, ATM cards, bank passbooks belonging to different banks, and other electronic accessories allegedly used to conduct cyber fraud activities.

Apart from electronic gadgets, the police also recovered cash amounting to Rs 10,040 from the accused. Investigators suspect the money may have been collected from victims through online scams conducted over recent weeks.

Police sources revealed that preliminary forensic analysis of the electronic devices could provide important leads regarding the number of victims, the amount of money cheated, and whether other individuals were also involved in the operation.

Fake Instagram Advertisements Became the Main Trap

According to the police investigation, the accused created fake Instagram accounts designed to appear like genuine online shopping pages. These accounts displayed attractive advertisements offering expensive Apple iPhones at shockingly low prices, sometimes as low as Rs 2,500.

Investigators said the advertisements were specifically crafted to attract young buyers, students, and people looking for discounted electronic gadgets. The fake profiles often displayed edited photographs of sealed iPhone boxes, fake customer reviews, and fabricated delivery screenshots to create a sense of authenticity.

The accused allegedly relied on aggressive promotional methods to gain visibility on Instagram. Police believe they used hashtags, sponsored promotions, and attractive offers to make the fake advertisements appear trustworthy to unsuspecting social media users.

Victims who showed interest in purchasing the phones were initially asked to pay a small booking amount of around Rs 100. Officials said this low initial payment was intentionally kept minimal so that customers would not suspect fraud.

Once the victims transferred the booking amount, the accused allegedly contacted them repeatedly and demanded additional payments under various pretexts. These included delivery charges, registration fees, insurance costs, packaging expenses, GST charges, and security deposits.

Police officials said the fraudsters continued extracting money in small installments so that victims would remain hopeful of receiving the product. However, after collecting sufficient money, the accused would either block the customers or stop responding altogether.

No Phones Were Ever Delivered

During interrogation, the accused reportedly confessed that they never delivered any mobile phones to customers and had no intention of sending genuine products.

Police officials said the scam was entirely designed to cheat people by exploiting the popularity and high demand for premium smartphones, especially iPhones. The accused allegedly knew that many customers become attracted to offers promising expensive gadgets at unrealistic discounts.

Investigators revealed that after receiving money from victims, the accused transferred funds through multiple bank accounts to make tracking difficult. The use of various accounts also helped them avoid suspicion from banks and digital payment systems.

According to officials, the accused admitted that the entire operation revolved around deceiving people through fake social media marketing tactics. They allegedly kept changing their methods to avoid getting caught.

The cyber police said this pattern of fraud is becoming increasingly common across India, where scammers misuse popular platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp to target users searching for online deals.

New Fake Accounts Created After Complaints

Police investigations further revealed that the accused frequently created new fake Instagram accounts whenever old profiles were reported or blocked by users.

Officials said this tactic helped the accused continue their fraud operation without interruption. As soon as one account attracted complaints and was suspended, another fake profile would be activated with a different username and fresh promotional content.

Investigators suspect that the accused may have operated several fake pages simultaneously to increase their reach and avoid detection.

The police also discovered that the accused allegedly used SIM cards obtained in the names of other individuals. This practice is commonly used by cyber criminals to conceal their identities and make investigations more difficult.

Officials are now trying to determine how the SIM cards were procured and whether any telecom agents or other individuals assisted in obtaining them illegally.

Cyber experts associated with the investigation are conducting digital analysis of the recovered devices to trace communication records, transaction details, IP addresses, and social media activities linked to the accused.

Growing Threat of Social Media Fraud

The Hisar case has once again highlighted the growing threat posed by cyber fraud networks operating through social media platforms. Experts say online scammers increasingly use fake advertisements and manipulated profiles to exploit people seeking discounted products.

With the rapid rise of digital payments and online shopping, fraudsters have found new ways to target unsuspecting customers. Attractive offers involving smartphones, laptops, electronic appliances, branded clothing, and luxury goods are frequently used as bait.

Cybercrime officials warn that fake online shopping pages often display unrealistic discounts to lure victims quickly. In many cases, scammers ask for advance payments and disappear after collecting money.

Authorities say users must remain cautious while purchasing products through social media advertisements, especially when deals appear too good to be true.

Officials advise buyers to verify the authenticity of sellers, check customer reviews carefully, avoid advance payments to unknown accounts, and prefer secure e-commerce platforms that offer payment protection and return policies.

Experts also recommend checking whether the seller has a verified business presence, valid contact details, and official customer support channels before making online purchases.

Police Expanding Investigation

The Cyber Crime Police Station in Hisar has now expanded the investigation to identify additional victims who may have been cheated by the accused over the past several months.

Officials believe the fraud network could have operated beyond Haryana and targeted users in multiple states through social media outreach. Investigators are examining bank transaction records and digital payment trails to estimate the total amount involved in the scam.

Police sources said more arrests are possible if links to a larger cyber fraud syndicate are established during further questioning.

Authorities are also coordinating with banks, telecom service providers, and social media platforms to gather additional evidence related to the operation of fake accounts and suspicious transactions.

The recovered electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination, and experts are expected to retrieve deleted chats, transaction histories, photographs, account credentials, and other digital evidence that may help strengthen the case.

Police officials said the investigation remains ongoing and several important revelations are expected during the custody interrogation of the accused.

Public Asked to Remain Alert

Following the arrests, police officials urged citizens to remain vigilant against online frauds involving fake advertisements and suspicious social media offers.

Cybercrime experts warned that scammers often use emotional tactics, urgency, and limited-time offers to pressure people into making immediate payments without verification.

Authorities advised the public never to trust advertisements offering premium products at extremely low prices. Consumers have been encouraged to cross-check seller information, avoid sharing personal banking details, and report suspicious online activities immediately to cybercrime authorities.

Officials also urged people to use the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and cyber helpline services in case of suspected fraud.

The Hisar cyber fraud bust serves as another reminder of how criminals are increasingly using technology and social media platforms to deceive innocent people. While digital platforms have made online shopping easier and more accessible, experts stress that awareness and caution remain the strongest tools against cybercrime.

As the investigation continues, police hope the arrest of the two accused will help uncover the full extent of the alleged fraud network and prevent more people from falling victim to similar online scams in the future.