🇮🇳 India's first community scam intelligence platform — search before you trust⚡ UPI Fraud? File a report in 60 seconds and protect others📞 Cybercrime Helpline 1930 — free, 24×7, available across all states🛡️ Your report is anonymous — speak up, keep India safe🏛️ Know your rights — explore Citizen Ethics from birth to death🔍 86,420 cybercrime cases were registered in India in 2023 (NCRB)🇮🇳 India's cybercrime cases are nearly 9× higher than in 2014 (NCRB)🇮🇳 3,82,632 cybercrime cases registered in India from 2014 to 2023 (NCRB, via MHA)📞 ₹7,130 crore+ saved in 23.02 lakh+ cyber-fraud complaints through India's helpline system (I4C, MHA)🇮🇳 India's first community scam intelligence platform — search before you trust⚡ UPI Fraud? File a report in 60 seconds and protect others📞 Cybercrime Helpline 1930 — free, 24×7, available across all states🛡️ Your report is anonymous — speak up, keep India safe🏛️ Know your rights — explore Citizen Ethics from birth to death🔍 86,420 cybercrime cases were registered in India in 2023 (NCRB)🇮🇳 India's cybercrime cases are nearly 9× higher than in 2014 (NCRB)🇮🇳 3,82,632 cybercrime cases registered in India from 2014 to 2023 (NCRB, via MHA)📞 ₹7,130 crore+ saved in 23.02 lakh+ cyber-fraud complaints through India's helpline system (I4C, MHA)

Report Scams

For a Better India

Updating protected services for a safer Bharat. Jai Hind.

Lulu Group loses Rs 1.64 crore in email fraud: How…

← Back to live cases

activeCyber Crime / Digital ArrestPan India

Lulu Group loses Rs 1.64 crore in email fraud: How impersonators used Italian company’s identity to cheat retail giant

Kochi City Police are investigating an alleged cyber fraud after the retail enterprise Lulu Group lost approximately Rs 1.64 crore. Unidentified individuals reportedly impersonated representatives of an Italian business partner to orchestrate the scam.

State

Multiple States

First reported

October 2026

Agency involved

Kochi City Cyber Crime Police

Arrests

None reported

Charges or sections cited

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Information Technology Act

Status

Under investigation

The full story

Everything you need to know about this case, in one place.

According to the police FIR, the fraudsters created fraudulent email addresses resembling those of a long-standing Italian supplier, IE Park SRL. Posing as company representatives, the accused sent fake invoices and bank details to request payment for gaming equipment purchased by the retail group.

Believing the communications to be authentic, the retail giant transferred 150,500 euros, amounting to around Rs 1.64 crore, into the bank accounts provided in the messages. The legal manager of the retail group subsequently lodged a formal complaint, prompting the Kochi Cyber Crime Police Station to register an FIR.

Investigators suspect the accused used forged electronic communications and impersonation to inflict financial losses while obtaining unlawful monetary gains. Authorities have stated that the suspects remain unidentified as the investigation progresses.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention whether any of the transferred funds have been recovered or if the bank accounts used by the fraudsters have been traced.

Where the case stands

The latest position in the reports we read.

An FIR has been registered by the Kochi Cyber Crime Police, and an active investigation is underway to identify the culprits.

Who was affected

Described in general terms; we do not name victims.

A major corporate retail enterprise, Lulu Group, which operates hypermarkets and malls internationally and across several Indian states.

Timeline

Key dates as reported, oldest first.

September 2 to September 29The alleged fraud and unauthorized financial transfers took place during this period.

FridayThe Kochi Cyber Crime Police registered an FIR following a complaint from the retail group's legal manager.

SaturdayOfficials confirmed the launch of an investigation into the cyber fraud.

How the scam worked

The method described in the reports.

The accused created email addresses that closely resembled those of an established international business partner.
The fraudsters posed as representatives of the Italian supplier in electronic communications with the retail group.
They sent fake invoices and alternative bank account details claiming payment was due for gaming equipment.
The victim organization transferred funds into the bank accounts supplied by the scammers, believing the messages were genuine.

Targeted by something similar?

Call 1930 (free, 24x7) straight away, then file at cybercrime.gov.in. Money reported in the first hours is far easier to freeze.

Report it on Report Scams Emergency guide How these scams work

Keep reading

More cases like this one.

Marriage promise leads to ₹1.46 crore fraud, 4 arrestedCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States Two people lose nearly ₹1 crore in ‘digital arrest’ cyber fraudsCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States Mahadev App Scam | Rs 508 Crore, 20 Crore Cash Claim: Why CBI's Chandrakar Arrest Could Spell Trouble For BCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States 6.5 lakh investors, 2-month probe: Gujarat cops bust Rs 1,200 crore SD Pay app scamCyber Crime / Digital Arrest · Multiple States

Sources and further reading

Optional. The full story is above; these are the original reports it was prepared from.

economictimes.indiatimes.comOriginal report The Economic TimesOpens via Google News

Prepared by Report Scams, with the help of AI, from the published reports listed above. Check those reports for the latest. Cases here describe allegations. An FIR, arrest or charge is not a finding of guilt. To report a mistake, or to ask for a correction or removal, write to our Grievance Officer. See also the Safe Posting policy.