A series of cyber fraud, investment scam, criminal breach of trust, and travel-related cheating cases reported across Pune has highlighted the growing sophistication of financial fraud networks targeting citizens. In a single day, authorities recorded seven separate cases involving cumulative losses exceeding ₹3.72 crore, prompting renewed warnings from investigators about the dangers of unverified online investments, fraudulent mobile applications, and deceptive financial offers.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
The Fake Application Bait
Among the most significant cases, Hemant Jayant Jadhav, a 53-year-old resident of Katraj, lost ₹63.84 lakh after being lured into investing through a fraudulent stock trading application. According to investigators, the victim received a link on his mobile phone that directed him to download a malicious application called DMA-IIFL.
The individuals behind the scheme promised substantial returns through stock market trading and convinced him to transfer funds into multiple bank accounts provided by them. The fraud remained undetected until the victim attempted to withdraw his profits and original investment. Investigators said repeated requests for withdrawal were either ignored or delayed, eventually revealing that the promised returns were fictitious. A criminal case has been registered under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act.
The Tecroot Consultancy Shell Game
In another major case registered with the airport police station, three investors collectively lost approximately ₹2.62 crore in an alleged investment fraud. The complaint was lodged by 63-year-old Kishore Bapurao Gorde, following which authorities initiated legal action against Kartik Kamal Sharma, the CEO of Tecroot 3 Consultancy Services Private Limited. Investigators are currently examining financial records and communications to determine how the funds were collected and whether additional victims may be involved.
A separate cyber fraud case emerged from Dhayari, where 67-year-old Shirish Sadashiv Joshi lost ₹23.39 lakh through a fake stock trading operation conducted via a WhatsApp group. According to preliminary findings, the group projected itself as a professional investment community and regularly shared trading tips, profit screenshots, and investment advice to gain members’ confidence. Investigators believe such groups are increasingly being used by cyber criminals to target retirees and first-time investors.
Social Engineering and Diversion Tricks
Another victim, 66-year-old Surendrasingh Sevasingh Gurudatta, lost ₹11.80 lakh after cyber criminals posing as bank representatives contacted him through WhatsApp. Authorities suspect the fraudsters used advanced social engineering techniques to obtain sensitive information and persuade the victim to complete financial transactions that ultimately benefited the criminals.
Apart from cyber and investment frauds, investigators also reported a criminal breach of trust case at the Kondhwa police station. Police registered a complaint against 29-year-old Kushal Yugal Pal, who is accused of misappropriating ₹7 lakh in cash and a motorcycle entrusted to him by an acquaintance, Jayesh Rajeshkumar Lodha. The complainant alleged that the accused failed to deposit the money into a designated bank account and subsequently disappeared along with both the cash and the vehicle.
Vacation Scams Target Families
Two travel-related fraud cases were also reported. In Dattawadi, 60-year-old Rajiv Sharadkumar Pandit alleged that he was cheated of ₹63,940 after a travel agency promised discounted family flight tickets to Jammu and Kashmir but failed to provide the bookings. In another case registered in Hadapsar, Pooja Dhanraj Doiphode, 41, accused a tour operator of cheating her of ₹2.05 lakh after collecting money for a family vacation to Dubai, cancelling the trip, and failing to refund the full amount.
Cyber crime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said investment scams are increasingly relying on social engineering tactics, fake applications, and messaging platforms to create a false sense of legitimacy. He warned that fraudsters often display fabricated profits and use persuasive communication to pressure victims into making repeated investments before disappearing with the funds.
Vivek Masal, DCP (Economic Offences Wing and Cyber Crime), urged citizens to verify the authenticity of investment platforms, avoid downloading applications from unverified links, and remain cautious of unsolicited financial offers received through social media, messaging platforms, or unknown callers. Investigators are continuing to examine digital evidence, banking transactions, and communication records in all seven cases to trace the money trail.
