Yamunanagar: A Model Town resident was allegedly cheated of ₹2.19 lakh in a Telegram-based cyber fraud after being promised high returns through online investment and task-based activities. The fraudsters allegedly began by showing a small profit on an online account before persuading the victim to make increasingly larger payments to complete different tasks.
The case highlights a growing pattern in which cybercriminals use messaging platforms such as Telegram to create fake investment opportunities, display fictitious profits and then demand additional payments before allowing victims to withdraw their money.
How Did the ₹2.19 Lakh Telegram Investment Fraud Begin?
According to the complaint, Rithik Chauhan received a link from an unknown number on August 23. After opening the link, he was directed to a Telegram group where members allegedly promoted online investment and task-based earning opportunities.
The people operating the group allegedly promised that participants could earn substantial returns within a short period.
Rithik initially invested a relatively small amount. The fraudsters allegedly displayed profits in his online account after the initial transaction, making the scheme appear legitimate.
This reportedly encouraged him to continue participating.
How Were the Victim’s Payments Increased?
After establishing trust, the fraudsters allegedly introduced different online tasks and instructed Rithik to deposit money before completing them.
Believing that completing the tasks would generate higher returns, he allegedly continued making payments.
The total amount deposited eventually reached ₹2.19 lakh.
According to the complaint, the fraudsters continued representing the transactions as part of a legitimate earning or investment process rather than revealing that the money was being transferred to accounts controlled by the alleged network.
Why Could the Victim Not Withdraw His Money?
The fraud reportedly came to light when Rithik attempted to withdraw his deposited money and the profits displayed on the platform.
He allegedly discovered that his account was no longer functioning.
When he attempted to contact members of the Telegram group, he reportedly failed to receive a satisfactory explanation or recover his money.
He subsequently realised that he had allegedly been targeted by a cyber fraud and approached the police.
How Do Telegram Investment and Task Scams Work?
Investment and task scams often follow a similar pattern.
Fraudsters first contact potential victims through messaging applications or social media and offer apparently easy ways to make money. They may ask the victim to make a small initial payment and then show a fictitious profit to establish credibility.
Once the victim trusts the platform, increasingly larger payments may be demanded for additional tasks, higher investment levels, account upgrades, taxes, processing fees or withdrawal charges.
The displayed balance may continue to increase, but the money shown on the platform does not necessarily represent genuine funds.
The fraudsters can then block access to the account or demand further payments when the victim attempts to withdraw the supposed earnings.
Are the Profits Shown on Investment Platforms Real?
Not necessarily. A profit displayed on a website, application or online account does not prove that an investment is genuine.
In task and investment scams, criminals can manipulate the interface to show increasing balances and profits even when no genuine investment has taken place.
A major warning sign is when a platform allows money to be deposited easily but demands additional payments before withdrawals can be processed.
People should independently verify the company, investment platform and beneficiary account before transferring money.
What Are the Warning Signs of a Telegram Investment Scam?
People should be particularly cautious when an online investment or task opportunity involves:
- Promises of unusually high or guaranteed returns.
- Invitations to investment groups through unknown links.
- Requests to deposit money before completing simple online tasks.
- A platform showing profits almost immediately after a small investment.
- Demands for additional payments before withdrawals are permitted.
- Requests for taxes, processing fees, security deposits or account-upgrade charges.
- Payments being directed to personal or unrelated bank accounts.
- Pressure to make larger deposits after an initial successful transaction.
A legitimate investment opportunity should not depend on continuously paying money simply to unlock previously displayed profits.
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Yamunanagar Cyber Fraud Cases Raise Concern
The incident comes amid growing concern over cyber fraud in Yamunanagar.
According to police figures cited in the report, 74 cyber fraud cases had been registered in the district in 2026 at the time of the report. Police have observed multiple methods being used to target residents, including investment scams through social media and messaging platforms.
Fraudsters have also reportedly used WhatsApp, Telegram, fake links and fraudulent digital documents to approach potential victims.
The increasing use of task-based schemes shows how cybercriminals can combine investment fraud with gamified online activities to make fraudulent platforms appear more credible.
What Should You Do If You Have Been Defrauded?
Anyone who believes they have been targeted should immediately preserve transaction records, screenshots, phone numbers, Telegram group details, links, messages and other digital evidence.
Victims should report financial cyber fraud as quickly as possible through India’s cybercrime reporting mechanisms. Early reporting can help authorities trace or freeze funds before they are moved through additional accounts.
People should also avoid sending further money even if the fraudsters promise that another payment will unlock the withdrawal.
Police Investigating Money Trail
The Cyber Crime police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and launched an investigation.
Investigators are examining the transactions from the victim’s bank accounts, beneficiary accounts, mobile numbers and digital evidence associated with the Telegram group.
Police are also attempting to determine where the ₹2.19 lakh allegedly transferred by the victim ultimately went and identify the individuals operating the accounts and the online investment setup.
The investigation will also determine whether other people were allegedly targeted through the same Telegram group or using the same bank accounts and digital infrastructure.
The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the unidentified accused are yet to be established through the legal process.
About the author — Ananya Aradhya writes on cybercrime, fraud, scams, cybersecurity, digital safety, and emerging threats. Her work also covers major criminal cases, financial frauds, consumer scams, and stories that highlight risks affecting people in the real and digital world.
