Cyber fraudsters posing as stock market experts on Telegram duped a young man of ₹21.48 lakh by luring him with promises of doubling his investment. The accused gained his trust through continuous messages and persuaded him to transfer money to multiple bank accounts under various pretexts. A case has been registered and cyber police have begun an investigation.
According to the complaint, Somendra Singh of Gati received a message on December 8, 2025, claiming that his money could be doubled in a short period through share trading. Initially he ignored it, but repeated messages and the prospect of quick profits prompted him to engage with the fraudsters. They introduced themselves as market experts and assured him of high returns if he followed their instructions.
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Small deposits built initial trust
The victim said he was first asked to transfer a small amount to build confidence. Later, the fraudsters claimed to show him notional profits, which further strengthened his trust. Gradually, they pressured him to invest larger sums, saying higher deposits would yield bigger returns.
Each time, they demanded money under new heads — trading charges, processing fees and tax — while assuring him that the total amount along with profits would soon be credited to his account. Believing this, he continued transferring funds.
₹21.48 lakh transferred in 45 days
Between December 8, 2025, and January 22, 2026, the victim transferred a total of ₹21,48,698 to different bank accounts on multiple dates. Despite repeated assurances, neither the principal amount nor the promised profit was returned.
When the accused stopped answering calls and all contact numbers became unreachable, the victim realised he had been cheated and approached the cyber police.
Bank accounts and digital trail under scrutiny
Cyber police have registered an FIR and are analysing the bank accounts, mobile numbers and digital trail involved in the transactions. Efforts are underway to identify the beneficiaries and freeze the accounts where the money was transferred.
Rising trend of trading-related cyber fraud
Police officials said there has been a surge in scams involving fake stock trading, cryptocurrency and “multibagger return” schemes on Telegram and other messaging platforms. Fraudsters typically build trust with small gains on paper and then siphon off large amounts through multiple transfers.
Authorities have advised the public not to trust investment offers from unknown individuals or social media groups, avoid transferring money to unfamiliar accounts and immediately report suspected fraud to the 1930 helpline or the cyber crime portal.
The investigation is ongoing, and police said the accused will be identified and action taken based on digital evidence.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
