Mumbai, Maharashtra: A 44-year-old man from Chandivali, Mumbai, lost nearly Rs 40 lakh over a span of just 19 days after falling victim to an elaborate investment scam allegedly orchestrated by two women he met online.
The incident began on May 14, when the victim received a friend request on Facebook from a woman identifying herself as Priya Kumari, who claimed to be a fashion designer based in Gurgaon, Delhi. Impressed by her profile, the man accepted the request, which led to a conversation that quickly moved to WhatsApp.
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According to reports, Priya gained the man’s trust by offering him accurate stock market tips during their initial exchanges. Encouraged by the early success, she directed him to register on a website and begin investing through a mobile application. Around the same time, another woman named Ritika Sharma joined the conversation, adding the victim to a Telegram group where he was given further investment instructions.
Lured by the promise of quick profits, the victim proceeded to invest Rs 39.57 lakh in various stocks and IPOs through the app. The platform initially displayed healthy returns, showing a balance of nearly Rs 90 lakh. However, when the man attempted to withdraw the amount, he was asked to pay a hefty tax in advance, a red flag that eventually revealed the entire operation to be a scam.
Realising he had been duped, the victim tried to reach out to both Priya and Ritika, only to find their phones switched off and all communication cut off. It was then that he discovered the app and website were fake.
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He immediately approached the Cyber Police Station and lodged a formal complaint. A case has been registered under Section 66(d) of the Information Technology Act, along with various sections of the Indian Penal Code including 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), and 61(2).
Cybercrime officials are currently investigating the case. The police have warned citizens to remain vigilant and avoid trusting unknown individuals on social media, especially when it comes to financial dealings.
