Pune – A serious case of cyber fraud has emerged in Pune, where an IT professional was duped of ₹3.66 crore through a sophisticated online scam. The fraudulent activities spanned from July 15 to October 1, 2025, during which the perpetrators lured the victim with promises of high returns in the stock market.
Social Media Advertisement Lures Victim
According to preliminary reports, the victim came across a sponsored investment advertisement while using a social media application on his mobile device. Upon clicking the link, he was added to a messaging group already populated with several members, where numerous participants claimed substantial profits from stock trading. Following initial conversations with the group administrator, the victim agreed to make investments.
Subsequently, the administrator sent a link to download a trading application. Investigations later revealed that the app was fraudulent and allowed the scammers to gain remote access to the victim’s mobile device, enabling them to manipulate the system and control his operations.
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High Investments Fueled by Fake Profits
Initially, the victim made small investments, but the artificially displayed profits on the fake trading app convinced him to invest larger sums. The fraudsters instructed the victim to invest in premium shares and IPOs while using multiple fake bank accounts to execute transactions.
The counterfeit trading app consistently displayed inflated profits, creating an illusion of substantial returns. Misled by these fabricated gains, the victim invested a total of ₹3.66 crore over the period.
Fraud Discovered and Complaint Filed
The victim realized the scam when he attempted to withdraw his earnings and discovered that his account had been blocked. The fraudsters also demanded additional funds, prompting him to understand that he had been deceived. He subsequently filed a complaint with the Pune Cyber Crime Cell, which has launched an in-depth investigation into the matter.
This incident exemplifies the sophisticated techniques of modern cybercriminals, including remote access control, fabricated interfaces, and manipulation of investor trust to extract large sums over time.
Expert Opinion: Vigilance and Technical Measures Critical
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh commented:
“Modern cyber fraudsters exploit investor greed and overconfidence. Fake trading platforms and controlled group environments display fabricated profits to mislead individuals, ultimately causing significant financial losses.”
Prof. Singh recommended essential precautions for investors:
- Download trading apps only from authorized app stores and verified platforms.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on all financial accounts.
- Never share OTPs, passwords, or UPI PINs with anyone.
- Verify platforms and administrators before joining any investment groups.
- Seek advice from qualified financial advisors before making large investments and review withdrawal policies carefully.
Conclusion
This case underscores the dangers of rapid-return investment promises and unchecked greed in digital financial markets. Cyber fraudsters are increasingly leveraging technical sophistication to deceive investors. To protect oneself, vigilance, verification, and technical safeguards are imperative.
Following the complaint, local authorities have launched a comprehensive investigation, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.
