Pune | January 10, 2026 | A Pune-based youth has lost more than ₹36 lakh after falling prey to an online gaming and investment scam, in one of the latest cases highlighting the growing threat of cyber fraud linked to gaming apps and so-called “task-based” earnings. Police have registered a case under the Information Technology Act and cheating provisions and initiated a detailed investigation to trace the perpetrators and the money trail.
According to police officials, the victim, a 30-year-old professional residing in the Wagholi area, was approached by cyber fraudsters through messages sent to his mobile phone last year. The messages promised high returns on investment and directed him to click on a link shared by the fraudsters. Once the link was opened, the victim was gradually drawn into an online gaming platform that claimed users could earn substantial money by playing games and completing assigned tasks.
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Investigators said the fraudsters initially gained the victim’s trust by projecting the scheme as a legitimate online earning opportunity. He was encouraged to participate in online games with assurances of quick profits and steady returns. Over a period of nearly eight months, the victim transferred money multiple times to different bank accounts provided by the fraudsters, believing he was investing or paying entry fees for gaming tasks that would yield profits.
In total, the victim ended up transferring ₹36.74 lakh to the accounts controlled by the cyber criminals. The fraud came to light only when the promised returns stopped and the victim was unable to withdraw any funds from the platform. After repeated attempts to contact the operators failed, he realised he had been cheated and approached the police to lodge a complaint.
Senior police inspector Yuvraj Hande is leading the investigation. Police officials said efforts are under way to identify the bank accounts used in the fraud, track digital footprints and establish whether the racket is linked to a larger cyber crime network operating across states or from outside the country.
Rising concern over online gaming scams
Police officials say the case is part of a worrying pattern, with several young people losing large sums of money to online gaming and investment scams in recent months. The lure of quick money, combined with slick digital interfaces and initial small payouts, often convinces victims that the platforms are genuine.
Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that online advertisements, unsolicited messages and links promising high returns through gaming or investments should be treated with caution. “Once the victim is convinced and starts depositing larger amounts, the fraudsters cut off contact,” a police officer said.
Earlier incidents have also shown that schoolchildren and college students are increasingly being targeted through gaming-related offers, raising concerns among parents and educators.
Second case: ‘Online task’ fraud in Hadapsar
In a separate but similar incident, cyber fraudsters cheated another Pune resident of ₹6.77 lakh by offering an “online task” job that could supposedly be done from home. In this case, a young man from the Hadapsar area received a message offering easy online work with assured returns.
Police said the fraudsters initially assigned the victim small tasks and transferred a modest amount of money into his bank account as “returns”. This initial payment helped build trust. Encouraged by the early payout, the victim transferred larger sums to the fraudsters’ accounts, expecting higher profits.
Once the money was deposited, the promised returns stopped and communication from the fraudsters ceased. Realising he had been cheated, the victim lodged a complaint at the Hadapsar police station. Inspector Nilesh Jagdale from the crime branch is conducting the investigation in this case.
Police advisory to citizens
With cyber fraud cases rising steadily, Pune Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant. Officials have advised people not to click on unknown links, avoid responding to unsolicited messages offering high returns, and verify the authenticity of online platforms before making any payments.
Police have also appealed to parents to monitor children’s online activity, particularly gaming apps that involve financial transactions. “If an offer sounds too good to be true, it usually is,” an official said, adding that timely reporting of suspected fraud can help authorities act faster and possibly recover funds.
As investigations continue in both cases, police are examining whether the gaming and task-based scams are interconnected and whether the accused are part of a larger organised cyber fraud operation targeting victims across urban centres.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
