Fake trading app and online task–review scam used to siphon funds; FIRs registered, probe underway.
Cyber criminals in Ghaziabad have duped two individuals of a combined ₹54.50 lakh using two different but highly coordinated online fraud mechanisms. One case involves a fake stock-trading application, while the other centers on a deceptive online task-review and earnings programme. Both victims have lodged complaints with the Cyber Crime Police Station, prompting an official investigation.
ADCP Crime said the incidents highlight the evolving nature of cyber fraud and the need for heightened public vigilance against technologically sophisticated scams.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Project Manager Back from Saudi Arabia Loses ₹30.50 Lakh in Trading App Scam
The first case concerns Manish Dubey, a resident of Teachers Enclave, Dhanpat Colony in Sahibabad, who works as a project manager with a company in Saudi Arabia and is currently in India. Dubey stated that a woman named Navish Sanya contacted him and added him to a WhatsApp group called “Learning Highway.” She later introduced him to a person posing as Professor Vellayan Subbiah, who claimed to lead an exclusive “13th Joint Investment Programme.”
The fraudsters claimed that the programme was being run in Mumbai and Chennai with alleged backing from Chola Investment Company. They offered guaranteed returns of 10–30% through “foundational stocks,” OTC trades, and IPO-related investments, and even promised up to 300% returns per week.
Beginning on 6 October, Dubey was encouraged to invest through a fake trading application. What started as a ₹1 lakh initial investment soon escalated as the scammers repeatedly urged him to “increase his score” and “qualify for higher profits.”
Over time, Dubey transferred a total of ₹30.50 lakh into multiple bank accounts. He arranged most of the funds by borrowing from friends and family, believing he was on the verge of substantial profits.
When he eventually attempted to withdraw his earnings, the scammers stalled him by demanding additional deposits. Realizing that he had been deceived, Dubey approached the Cyber Crime Police and filed an FIR.
Businessman Defrauded of ₹24 Lakh Through Online Task-Review Scheme
In the second case, Jatin Daing, a resident of Ahinsa Khand-II in Indirapuram, fell victim to a sophisticated online task-review scam. According to his complaint, an unidentified caller offered him the opportunity to earn money by completing online tasks from home.
Daing was first added to a Telegram group, where he was given some free tasks to build trust. Upon completion, he received ₹55,000 in his bank account, which convinced him that the platform was legitimate.
From October 2025 onwards, he was encouraged to take up pre-paid tasks, for which he was required to deposit advance payments. On 1 November, scammers cited the company’s “anniversary special event” and pressured him to purchase a “50,000-rupee slot.”
As tasks accumulated, his digital wallet falsely displayed a balance of ₹14.36 lakh. When Daing attempted to withdraw the amount, the fraudsters demanded a 50% processing fee, prompting him to transfer nearly ₹7 lakh.
Subsequently, the scammers manipulated him further, claiming his “credit score” had dropped, that he needed to help a “junior affiliate,” and that he had to buy additional “channels” to qualify for cash-out. Over days of manipulation, they extracted a total of ₹24 lakh from him.
When repeated delays and excuses persisted, Daing realised he had been defrauded and filed a formal complaint.
“Technical investigation underway in both cases” – ADCP Crime
ADCP Crime confirmed:
“Cyber fraudsters have cheated both victims of a combined ₹54.50 lakh. FIRs have been registered, and technical investigation is currently in progress.”
He urged citizens to remain alert, avoid suspicious links or unfamiliar investment apps, and refrain from engaging in unverified online earning schemes.
