Durg Police have arrested a 35-year-old woman from Nagpur in connection with an alleged ₹18.63 lakh investment fraud linked to a proposed forex and trading training institute.
The accused, identified as Minal Chauhan, is a resident of Mother Teresa Nagar in Bhilai.
Police say she persuaded a businessman to invest money in a venture called Finvision and Finvision Training Institute by promising substantial monthly profits.
The complainant allegedly transferred more than ₹21.96 lakh over several months. Only ₹3.33 lakh was later returned, leaving ₹18.63 lakh outstanding.
The allegations remain under investigation and have not been proved in court.
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Businessman Was Offered Partnership in Trading Institute
The complainant, Akshay Rathore, who is associated with the agriculture business, allegedly came into contact with Chauhan through an acquaintance.
According to the complaint, she proposed opening a forex and trading training institute at Currency Tower near VIP Chowk in Raipur.
The venture was presented as a potentially profitable business opportunity.
Police say Rathore was offered the chance to become an investor and business partner, with assurances that the institute would generate strong monthly returns.
He subsequently agreed to put money into the business.
Between December 2025 and June 2026, Rathore allegedly transferred ₹21,96,675 through different bank accounts.
The money was said to be required for office rent, salaries, maintenance, advertising, social media promotion and other operating expenses connected to the proposed institute.
Only ₹3.33 Lakh Was Returned
According to police, Chauhan later returned ₹3.33 lakh to Rathore.
The remaining ₹18,63,675 was allegedly not repaid.
Rathore reportedly continued seeking repayment before eventually approaching Supela Police on September 18.
Police then registered a cheating case and began examining the transactions, communications and financial records connected to the alleged investment.
During the investigation, officers traced Chauhan’s mobile location to Nagpur.
A police team subsequently arrested her there and brought her back for legal proceedings.
Police also seized a car from her possession.
She was produced before a court and sent to judicial remand.
Investigators are continuing to examine whether other people were involved and how the money was ultimately used.
Forex Label Can Make Investment Schemes Look Sophisticated
Forex trading refers to buying and selling currencies in an attempt to profit from changes in exchange rates.
It is a legitimate financial activity when conducted through authorised channels.
But the language of forex trading is also frequently used in questionable investment schemes because it can sound technical and highly profitable to people unfamiliar with the market.
Fraud risk increases when investors are promised fixed or unusually high returns.
Actual currency markets can move sharply and losses are possible, which means genuine trading cannot guarantee steady profits every month.
Another warning sign is when money is transferred directly into private or unrelated bank accounts instead of through properly documented business or regulated trading arrangements.
In this case, the complaint centres not only on forex trading but also on money allegedly raised for setting up and operating a training institute.
Police will therefore need to establish whether the business was genuinely operating, how the funds were spent and whether the investment promises were made dishonestly from the beginning.
Police Probe Financial Trail
The investigation is now expected to focus on the various bank accounts into which the complainant transferred money.
Officers may also examine invoices, rental agreements, employee payments and promotional expenses to determine whether the funds were actually used for the stated business purposes.
That distinction will be important.
A failed business investment does not automatically amount to criminal cheating.
For a cheating case, investigators generally need to establish dishonest intent and whether the complainant was induced to part with money through false representations.
Police say the available complaint and evidence were sufficient to arrest Chauhan, but the final determination will depend on the investigation and court proceedings.
The case is another reminder that investment pitches involving trading, training institutes and promised monthly profits should be backed by clear agreements, verified business records and independent checks.
What this means for you:
Do not invest large sums simply because a business proposal is linked to forex or trading. Verify the entity, insist on written agreements and independently check how your money will be used before transferring funds.
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