WhatsApp friendship, small profit to win trust, fake ‘growth’ on app; when he tried to withdraw money, she demanded 30% tax
Noida- A high-value cyber investment fraud has surfaced in Greater Noida, where a retired manager was duped of ₹1.25 crore over 10 months by a woman who befriended him on WhatsApp and lured him with the promise of lucrative returns. Initially, she transferred a small profit to gain his confidence, but as soon as he attempted to withdraw his accumulated funds, she cut off contact. Police have registered an FIR and begun a detailed investigation.
WhatsApp contact leads to elaborate trap
The victim, a retired manager from the Yamuna Authority and a resident of Greater Noida, received a WhatsApp message nearly a year ago from a woman identifying herself as Divya Sharma. Gradually, regular conversation began, during which the woman claimed to be a businesswoman and director of an investment company.
She told the retired manager that she invested daily through a firm called Golden Bridge Investment and earned substantial profits. She encouraged him to invest as well, assuring “high and secure returns within a short time.”
₹40,000 investment, ₹8,000 profit – the first bait
On 28 January 2025, after repeated persuasion, the victim invested ₹40,000. A few days later, the woman sent ₹8,000 to his bank account as “profit.”
This initial gain cemented his trust. Believing the company to be genuine and the returns legitimate, he felt confident that a large investment could yield significant earnings. Fraudsters commonly use this tactic—offering small, quick returns—to prepare the victim for larger transactions.
From February to November: ₹1.24 crore transferred
Encouraged by the first payout, the victim continued sending funds on the woman’s instructions. Between 1 February 2025 and 11 November 2025, he transferred a total of ₹1,24,44,000 into various bank accounts.
During this period, she also convinced him to download an investment app on his phone. The app displayed constantly rising figures, showing his “profits” increasing each day. In reality, the app interface was a fake dashboard created by the cyber gang—a sophisticated illusion designed to keep him investing more.
Attempt to withdraw money triggers demand for 30% tax
After investing over a crore, the victim needed funds for personal reasons and attempted to withdraw his money through the app. At this point, the woman informed him:
“A 30% tax must be paid first, only then your entire amount will be released.”
When he refused, she abruptly stopped responding. Calls, WhatsApp chats, and even access to the app were blocked. Only then did he realise he had been trapped in a major cyber scam.
Fake WhatsApp group, fake investors, fake screenshots
The victim also revealed that early on, the woman added him to a WhatsApp group supposedly filled with other investors. Members frequently shared screenshots of high returns and investment tips. The group regularly posted:
- “Investment training” updates
- Daily profit notifications
- Testimonials from supposed investors
Later, he discovered that every person in the group was part of the cyber gang, strategically placed to create an illusion of success and credibility.
Accounts being traced and frozen; cyber cell investigating
The Cyber Unit has begun scrutinising the financial trail. According to the ADCP Cyber:
“We have registered an FIR. Transaction details are being collected from banks. Accounts where the money was transferred are being frozen. Several members of the syndicate have been identified and are under surveillance.”
Investment scams rising nationwide, experts warn
Cyber experts say investment frauds involving:
- Fake apps
- Manipulated dashboards
- WhatsApp-based “financial groups”
- Small initial profits
- High tax or withdrawal charges
are among India’s fastest-growing cybercrime patterns.
Fraudsters deploy a well-structured psychological strategy—first building trust, then introducing urgency, and finally blocking communication once the victim refuses further payment.
Police advisory: Stay alert, stay protected
Authorities have issued the following advisories:
- Do not invest based on unsolicited WhatsApp or social media messages
- Avoid joining unknown investment groups
- Download apps only from verified app stores, never from forwarded links
- For any cyber fraud, immediately call 1930 or file a report on cybercrime.gov.in
