A man fell victim to an elaborate online scam after being lured through Instagram and later redirected to Telegram, where fraudsters convinced him to invest in a fraudulent scheme promising high returns. The victim, who initially transferred small amounts, ultimately lost Rs 5 lakh before realizing he had been duped.
According to the FIR, the victim was approached on Instagram by an unknown individual. The scammer engaged the victim in friendly conversation, gradually gaining his trust. After a few days of communication, the fraudster persuaded the man to shift their conversation to Telegram.
Once on Telegram, the fraudster introduced the victim to an “exclusive investment opportunity” that purportedly guaranteed lucrative returns within a short period. The victim first transferred a few thousand rupees He continued to deposit more money in increments over several days, eventually transferring Rs 5 lakh in various tranches.
However, when the victim attempted to withdraw his so-called profits, the fraudsters imposed additional conditions, claiming that he needed to pay additional fees, taxes, or processing charges before accessing his funds. Authorities have since initiated an investigation and are working to trace the scammers, who are suspected to be part of an organized cyber fraud network operating from overseas.
We urge citizens to exercise caution while engaging with strangers on social media platforms, especially when money or investment opportunities are involved. Experts advise individuals to be wary of investment offers that sound too good to be true.
This incident adds to the growing number of online fraud cases in India, where cybercriminals exploit digital platforms to dupe unsuspecting victims. As scams continue to evolve, authorities emphasize the need for increased public awareness and stricter digital security measures to prevent such crimes.
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The investigation is ongoing, and police are hopeful of tracking down the perpetrators. Meanwhile, we urge social media users to report suspicious profiles and fraudulent schemes to prevent others from falling prey to similar scams.
What is interesting in this scam is the amounts that are transferred. This one of the few times when they monetary value of the scam is relatively low, though the transfers have happened at regular intervals. It is difficult to ascertain whether the cyber crime gang had decided to carry out cons that got them smaller values, or whether the victim smelt a rat pretty immediately.
Covers the crime beat, spreading awareness about crimes, scams and everything dastardly.
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