Pune | Cybercrime in the city is rapidly evolving, with fraudsters no longer relying on a single method. Instead, they are using a mix of technology, social media manipulation, and fake investment opportunities to target victims. In three separate incidents reported from Wanwadi and Hadapsar, residents collectively lost over ₹23 lakh, raising serious concerns about digital safety and online financial fraud.
Investigations revealed that the accused used different tactics in each case—remote access tools, fake trading applications, and deceptive drop-shipping business offers—to gain trust and extract money from victims.
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In the first case from Hadapsar, a 30-year-old man was allegedly cheated of ₹15,31,000 under the pretext of a drop-shipping business opportunity. The victim was initially contacted through a dating application by a woman identifying herself as “Arya Sharma.” Over time, she built trust through regular conversations and introduced a fake online business model promising high returns through product sales.
The victim was directed to register on a web portal via a WhatsApp link and was also asked to share sensitive personal details such as Aadhaar and PAN information. Subsequently, multiple bank transfers were made to different accounts. Initially, small investments were made to build confidence, but later the victim was persuaded to transfer larger amounts. When he attempted to withdraw profits, communication from the accused abruptly stopped. Police said a portion of the funds has been frozen, while further investigation is underway.
In another incident from the same area, a 68-year-old man was cheated of ₹4,79,000 through a fake stock trading scheme. The victim was convinced to download a mobile application that displayed fabricated profits to create a sense of legitimacy. He was also added to a WhatsApp group where individuals posing as trading experts shared fake investment tips and manipulated profit screenshots.
The victim initially invested small amounts, but was gradually encouraged to increase his investment. The app falsely showed inflated profits reaching several lakhs. However, when he attempted to withdraw the money, he was asked to pay additional “processing fees.” Despite repeated payments, no funds were released.
In a third case reported from Wanwadi, a 51-year-old man lost ₹3,89,008 after clicking a malicious link sent via WhatsApp claiming an unpaid gas bill. The link led to the installation of an APK file, which gave fraudsters remote access to his phone. Once control was established, multiple unauthorized bank transactions were carried out without the victim’s knowledge.
Cybersecurity experts have raised concerns over the increasing sophistication of such attacks. Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh said, “Modern cyber fraud is driven by social engineering and psychological manipulation. Criminals first build trust and then take complete digital control through technical means. Awareness and caution are the strongest defenses against such crimes.”
Experts further noted that with the expansion of digital payment systems and mobile applications, cyber fraud has become more organized and harder to trace. Fraudsters often use mule accounts and fake identities to route money, making recovery difficult. Social media platforms and fake profiles are commonly used to initiate contact with victims.
Authorities emphasized that victims are typically shown small profits initially to build confidence before being pushed into larger investments. Officials warned users not to install unknown applications or click on suspicious links without verification. They also highlighted the importance of reporting cyber fraud immediately to helpline number 1930 to increase the chances of freezing stolen funds.
Police stated that in such cases, timely reporting is crucial, as delays significantly reduce recovery possibilities. They also warned that emerging technologies such as AI-generated fake calls and deepfake content may further complicate cybercrime detection in the future.
Pune Police said cyber patrolling and surveillance efforts are being strengthened to curb online financial fraud. The incidents serve as a strong reminder of the growing risks in the digital era, where trust-based manipulation has become a key tool for cybercriminals.
