MUMBAI — A 62-year-old retired professor, seeking to explore new investment avenues, has become the latest victim in a sophisticated online cryptocurrency scam, losing a staggering ₹1.93 crore. The fraud began with a seemingly innocent friendship request on Facebook and slowly escalated into a complex web of deception that drained the professor’s life savings.
The Digital Deception Begins
The elaborate scheme began when the professor accepted a Facebook friend request from a woman identifying herself as “Ayesha.” She claimed to be an employee of “Global Art” from Gurugram, a city known for its business hubs. Over time, Ayesha meticulously built a rapport with the professor, gaining his trust through friendly conversations and seemingly genuine advice. Her primary tactic was to introduce him to the world of cryptocurrency, offering what appeared to be expert “tips” on Bitcoin investments. These initial recommendations proved accurate, creating a false sense of security and convincing the professor that Ayesha was a reliable and knowledgeable guide in the volatile crypto market. Under her persistent guidance, he opened an account on Binance, a popular cryptocurrency exchange, and began transferring funds for investment.
The Trap Springs Shut
Once a significant amount of money had been invested, Ayesha abruptly cut off all communication, vanishing from the professor’s digital life. Just as he began to suspect something was amiss, two new individuals, a woman named “Koyal” and a man named “Prashant Patil,” stepped into the void. They contacted the professor, presenting themselves as facilitators who could help him recover his lost funds. However, their assistance came with a hefty price. They began demanding various payments under the guise of “processing charges,” “transaction fees,” and other administrative costs, promising that these payments were necessary to unlock his original investment. Desperate to retrieve his money, the professor continued to make transfers, unaware that he was falling deeper into the same trap.
The Realization and Reckoning
The cycle of demands for more money, coupled with the continued lack of any actual recovery, eventually led the professor to a grim realization: he had been scammed not once, but twice. The total amount he had transferred to the fraudsters reached an alarming ₹1.93 crore. Overwhelmed by the financial loss and the betrayal of trust, he approached the authorities. The West Region Cyber Police of Mumbai Police promptly registered a case of online fraud. The investigation is now underway against the unknown cyber fraudsters, with charges filed under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the newly enacted Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses various criminal offenses.
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A Warning in the Digital Age
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the increasing prevalence and sophistication of online financial frauds. Cybercriminals frequently leverage social media platforms to identify potential victims, build trust through elaborate backstories, and then exploit that trust for financial gain. Authorities continue to urge the public to exercise extreme caution when interacting with strangers online, especially when financial transactions or investments are involved. The ongoing police investigation aims to trace the culprits behind this elaborate scheme and bring them to justice, but the case underscores the critical need for digital literacy and vigilance in an interconnected world.