A Noida-based couple fell victim to an elaborate online fraud while attempting to transport their car to Vadodara, Gujarat after sourcing a packers and movers number via Google search. The incident, reported from Sector-52 in Noida, resulted in the loss of the vehicle and over ₹22,500 allegedly paid to the accused, police said.
The complainant, Vijay Kumar, who works in a private company, registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the Phase-I of the Sector-24 Police Station, which is covered under the jurisdiction of the Sector-24 police, on allegations of cheating, misrepresentation, and financial fraud. According to the complaint, the fraud was orchestrated by three individuals—identified as Ajay Sharma, Keshav, and Gajendra—who posed as representatives of a reputed logistics brand, DTDC Packers and Movers.
The ordeal began in September 2024 when Vijay’s wife, Beena Devi, initiated plans to send her personal car from Noida to Vadodara for relocation purposes. Seeking assistance from professional logistics services, Beena searched on Google for packers and movers that offered vehicle transportation. During her search, she found a mobile number that appeared to be associated with DTDC Packers and Movers, a name resembling a reputed courier and logistics service provider.
Beena contacted the number and spoke with a man named Ajay Sharma, who represented himself as an employee of “DTDC Packers and Movers.” In their initial conversation, Ajay quoted ₹6,500 for delivering the car from Noida to Vadodara. Trusting his claims of affiliation with the company and assurances of safe and timely delivery, Beena agreed to the deal, police recounted the complainant’s statement.
On September 22, 2024, two men—Keshav and Gajendra—arrived at the couple’s home in Sector-52 to pick up the vehicle. They reportedly presented themselves as logistics executives, further strengthening the appearance of legitimacy. They inspected the car and loaded it onto a transport flatbed.
What followed, according to Vijay’s complaint, was a sudden revision of charges. Keshav and Gajendra allegedly cited additional costs, including loading fees, extraction charges, and unspecified “processing expenses,” demanding ₹2,500 more at the time of pickup. Beena promptly transferred ₹9,000 (₹6,500 + ₹2,500) believing it was part of necessary logistical formalities.
Later that same day, Ajay Sharma phoned Beena again demanding ₹13,500, citing further charges that had allegedly come up during the formal “documentation process.” Despite her discomfort, Beena complied and transferred the amount. Cumulatively, she paid ₹22,500 to the three suspects.
“Two months passed but the car never reached Vadodara,” Vijay said in his complaint. The accused reportedly ceased contact soon after collecting the money. Multiple attempts by the family to reach them proved futile as their phones were switched off or out of network. Sector officials confirmed that none of the registered numbers were authorised or verified through any company database.
A police probe further revealed that the accused did not work with any packers and movers firm registered under DTDC or any similarly named legitimate courier service.
It took Vijay Kumar and his wife more than 60 days to accept that they had been defrauded. October and November saw the couple attempting to reach the suspects through social media contacts, banking transaction records, and random community contacts. The absence of physical receipts or verified documentation made it nearly impossible to trace the logistics identity or vehicle trail.
The couple finally turned to the police in late November 2024, after enduring what they described as “mental stress, financial loss, and repeated uncertainty.” The FIR was officially registered under relevant sections dealing with criminal impersonation and organised ticket-based fraud.
Sector-24 Police Station SHO (Station House Officer) Subodh Kumar confirmed that a formal case has been registered against all three suspects based on the complainant’s statement. “We have registered the case against Ajay Sharma, Keshav, and Gajendra for cheating and impersonation. Investigation is underway. Based on digital evidence including banking trails, location mapping, mobile tower data, and Google search metadata, further legal action will follow,” Kumar said.
The case highlights the growing vulnerability of consumers relying on unverified service numbers found online through search engines. Cybercrime experts say fraudsters are increasingly manipulating Google listings, search result pages, and local map pins to plant fake contact numbers associated with reputed brands.
Officials advised the public to exercise caution when sourcing service providers online, especially for high-value logistics such as vehicle transportation. Police departments in Noida have also initiated awareness drives urging users to authenticate businesses through GSTIN numbers, official company URLs, verified app portals, or trusted local aggregator platforms before making payments or handing over belongings.
Vijay and Beena estimate that the car’s current value exceeds ₹5 lakh. Beyond the financial damage, the couple said losing the car has disrupted their relocation plans, daily mobility, and savings.
Noida police aim to track the suspects through transaction and telecom-led evidence. The case remains under active investigation.
