Retired Professional in Pune Duped of ₹50 Lakh Through WhatsApp Stock Trading Scam
Retired Professional in Pune Duped of ₹50 Lakh Through WhatsApp Stock Trading Scam
A retired private-sector employee from Pune’s Dhanori locality has fallen victim to a sophisticated online share trading scam, losing nearly ₹50 lakh after being lured by false promises of high investment returns. The incident came to light after the 59-year-old man approached cyber police when he realized he was unable to recover either his money or the profits he had been assured.
According to investigators, the fraud began when the victim received an unsolicited message on WhatsApp. The message included a link that directed him to download a mobile application that claimed to offer expert-backed stock market investment opportunities. Trusting the professional appearance of the app and the assurances of quick and substantial gains, the man gradually transferred large sums of money over a period of time.
The scam was exposed when the promised returns never materialized. Matters worsened when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds and found that the option was blocked, raising suspicions that ultimately led him to report the matter to authorities.
Cyber police officials have since registered a case and launched a detailed investigation. They are currently scrutinizing the fraudulent application, tracking bank transactions, and collecting digital evidence to identify and trace the individuals behind the scheme.
Police have once again urged the public to remain cautious, especially when it comes to investment offers received through social media or messaging platforms. Citizens are advised to avoid clicking on unknown links and to thoroughly verify the authenticity of any financial platform before transferring money.
