Cyber Fraudsters Dupes Retired Teacher of Over 1.5 Crore Rupees Using Names of Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk in Kanpur

Kanpur/India. Cybercriminals in Kanpur have defrauded a retired teacher of over 1.25 crore rupees by using the names of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and the world's richest man, Elon Musk. This sensational fraud network began on January 25, 2025.

Alison Weems, a retired teacher from Kanpur's prestigious Methodist High School, receives a message on Facebook from an individual claiming to be Mark Zuckerberg. After gaining her trust through chat, he offers Alison a business proposal to open an 'International School' in Kanpur.

Fraud Using Names of Musk and Joss Turner

The fraudsters did not stop there. After Zuckerberg, another impostor contacts her, claiming to be an associate of American singer Joss Turner and Elon Musk, tempting the teacher with the prospect of a big job and investment in the school. By February 20, 2026, she deposits lakhs of rupees into various bank accounts under the guise of 'processing fees' and 'investment'.

The fraudsters used the pretext of opening an international school in the name of a business proposal for the fraud. When the teacher demanded her money back, an individual succeeded in defrauding her of more money in the name of FedEx parcel and customs duty.

In this case, the fraudsters staged a drama involving a cyber helpline and legal aid. The fraudsters contacted her posing as Delhi advocate Ashok Suresh and cyber police officer Sandeep. They claimed that the investment amount in 'Wisdom Capital' had reached 2.23 crore Indian Rupees and told her that tax and stamp duty needed to be paid to withdraw it. The accused set the trap so cleverly that the teacher ended up handing over her entire retirement fund, mutual funds, and lifetime savings to them.

Police Action, 30 Lakh Rupees Frozen

By the time Alison realized she had been defrauded, she had already lost 1.57 crore Indian Rupees. An FIR regarding this incident was registered at the Kanpur Cyber Crime Branch last Monday.

According to ADCP Anjali Vishwakarma, the police took swift action and managed to freeze 30.42 lakh Indian Rupees in various accounts with the help of the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. The bank accounts into which the money was transferred are currently under investigation.

The police claim that the search for the accused is ongoing through digital footprints.