TL;DR: A report dated September 8, 2026 says a Lucknow woman, Niharika, lost ₹10.35 lakh after an Instagram friend request from a man calling himself “Chef Ryan Lucas” in the UK. He offered a gift parcel, then callers demanded customs charges. When she hesitated at a further ₹11 lakh, a fake FBI officer threatened legal action.
What happened
According to Amanshanti News, a Lucknow woman named Niharika received an Instagram friend request on August 16, 2026 from a man calling himself “Chef Ryan Lucas”, who said he lived in the UK and offered her an expensive gift. The chat moved to WhatsApp, where he collected her address and personal details and shared photos of a parcel.
How the money left her account
- Another caller said the parcel, supposedly holding foreign currency, jewellery and clothes, could be released only after customs charges were paid.
- She sent money to several bank accounts given by the callers: ₹5.85 lakh from her own account and ₹4.50 lakh arranged from two friends, a total of ₹10.35 lakh.
- When they demanded another ₹11 lakh, her suspicion grew. The callers then posed as an FBI officer, sent a fake identity card and threatened legal action.
She first reported to the 1930 helpline and then to Lucknow Cyber Crime police. The report does not mention arrests.
Why this works
The “gift parcel” script starts as a friendship, often with a good-looking stranger abroad, and ends in a series of small fees that keep growing. When the victim stops, a second voice, usually an official, adds fear. It is the same pattern as the romance-to-investment scams we cover, only the fake product is a parcel instead of a trading app.
Red flags
- A stranger on Instagram you have never met who promises gifts.
- Any request to pay “customs” or “clearance” to personal bank accounts. Real customs does not collect money this way.
- A new person who suddenly appears to “help” release the parcel.
- Threats from a “police” or “FBI” officer when you refuse to pay.
Our guide to Instagram scams lists the common types, and how to verify who you are talking to shows quick checks before you trust a stranger.
What to do next
Report at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in within minutes if you can. Our 1930 complaint guide explains the steps. Fraudsters often start with a profile built from your public photos and phone number, so run our free email and phone exposure check to see what they can find.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did the woman lose?
₹10.35 lakh in total: ₹5.85 lakh from her own account and ₹4.50 lakh arranged from two friends.
How did the scam start?
With an Instagram friend request on August 16, 2026 from a man claiming to be a chef in the UK, who offered a gift parcel.
Why did a fake FBI officer appear?
After she hesitated at a further ₹11 lakh demand, callers posed as an FBI officer, sent a fake ID card and threatened legal action to scare her into paying.
Does real customs ask for fees from strangers?
No. Genuine customs duties are not collected into personal bank accounts through a stranger's WhatsApp request.
Sources
- Amanshanti News: Woman duped of ₹10.35 lakh in Instagram ‘gift parcel’ cyber scam, Lucknow (Sep 8, 2026)
- National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)