Ludhiana, Feb. 15 -- A 45-year-old grocery and spices distributor from Raghbir Park, Haibowal, lost over Rs.40 lakh to online scamsters who lured him into investing in a fake commission-based scheme. Half of the amount he lost was borrowed from his friends and family. The police have registered an FIR against the unidentified accused.

Victim Narinder Singh alleged that he faced harassment while trying to get an FIR registered, claiming that he made multiple visits to the cybercrime police station but was repeatedly turned away. It was only after approaching the Ludhiana police commissioner an FIR was finally registered on Thursday, he said.

Narinder said his ordeal began in July 2023 when he was added to a WhatsApp group claiming to be ...