The need for citizens to remain cautious while making online purchases after watching attractive reels on social media has once again come to the fore. A 27-year-old woman from Khar has allegedly been duped of ₹36,598 under the pretext of purchasing Lucknowi suits online. The victim registered a complaint on the cyber helpline 1930 and subsequently lodged an official complaint at Khar Police Station.
According to available information, on February 12, 2026, the woman’s mother came across reels related to Lucknowi suits on Instagram from an account named “Lakshita Chinkara.” Impressed by the designs showcased in the reels, she messaged the account expressing her interest in purchasing the suits. The seller informed her that the price of one suit was ₹36,598 and assured delivery of two Lucknowi suits after collecting the address.
For payment, a QR code was sent in the name of Abhay Shastri. The woman transferred the amount via Google Pay. Following the transaction, a fake bill was also shared, which convinced the family that the order had been successfully placed.
However, when they later inquired about the delivery status, the seller demanded additional payment towards GST. After this, the accused stopped responding and blocked the woman’s account on Instagram.
Upon realising that she had been cheated, the victim filed a complaint on the cyber crime portal. Police have initiated an investigation into the matter. Authorities have appealed to citizens to exercise caution while purchasing products from unknown sellers on social media platforms and to verify official websites, customer reviews, and secure payment methods before making any transactions.