Shimla: Cyber ​​fraudster impersonates as Elon Musk, man duped of Rs 11.87 lakh

January 21, 2026

Cyber ​​fraudsters are adopting new and innovative methods to deceive people. In one such case, a man received a call from someone claiming to be Elon Musk, the world’s richest person. The victim was lured with the promise of crores of rupees in cash, gold, and gifts, and then defrauded of Rs. 11.87 lakh.

Based on the complaint, the police have registered a case against unknown persons under various sections of the BNSS and IT Act and have started an investigation. In his complaint to the police, the man, a resident of the Shimla police station area, stated that on July 18, 2025, while browsing an online application, he was contacted on his mobile number by a person who allegedly identified himself as Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla.

The fraudster claimed that it was a new Tesla model and that the victim would receive a cash package, gold worth Rs. 23 million, and a gift.

How the fraudsters swindled lakhs of rupees

Hoping to receive such a lucrative offer, the complainant trusted the callers. The cyber fraudsters then provided him with a delivery team number, 17189056811, which was later changed to 17537796042.

Lured by the promise of the Tesla model and gifts, he was tricked into paying Rs. 11,87,644 in instalments. After a long period of being defrauded of lakhs of rupees without receiving anything, and with the cyber fraudsters repeatedly demanding more money, he realised he had been scammed.

Case against unknown persons registered

He then filed a written complaint at the Chhota Shimla police station, where he learned that he had been a victim of cyber fraud. The police have registered a case against unknown persons under sections 66C and 66D of the BNSS and IT Act and have started investigating the matter. SSP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi stated that the police are seriously investigating every aspect of the case.