In an incident straight out of a crime thriller, Noida Police have uncovered a Rs 150 crore investment scam inspired by the hit Netflix series Money Heist. The con combined digital deceit, cinematic flair, and sharp manipulation.
The accused, identified as Arpit Mishra a practicing advocate from Jaipur nicknamed “Professor” led the operation along with his associates Prabhat Vajpayee and Mohammad Abas Khan. The trio allegedly duped investors through fake online trading platforms.
Police investigations revealed that the gang created sophisticated websites and social media accounts to lure victims into making “safe investments.” Once people invested, their accounts were locked, followed by demands for “extra fees” or “maintenance charges.”
The scam spanned across multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and West Bengal. The accused reportedly managed hundreds of fraud-linked bank accounts to channel the stolen funds.
Their downfall began when a businessman from Kochi lost Rs 21.77 lakh and immediately filed a police complaint. A special Noida cyber team traced the operations, eventually arresting all three men involved.
Authorities say the criminals were deeply inspired by Money Heist and referred to themselves with codenames even calling Arpit the “Professor.” The trio’s methodical approach reflected the show’s heist-style planning.
Police have urged citizens to remain cautious while investing online, stressing that greed and digital anonymity are the perfect tools for modern-day con artists.
This case serves as a stark reminder that fiction often fuels reality and the line between binge-worthy drama and real-world deception is thinner than ever.
