The lure of quick profits in the digital age once again proved costly when cybercriminals duped a youth of ₹4.40 lakh through a fraudulent online investment scheme. The incident was reported from the Civil Lines police station area, where victim Manish Sharma, a resident of Naveen Nagar MDA Colony, lodged a formal complaint.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Telegram Group Used as Trap
According to police, Sharma had recently joined an investment group on Telegram. The group administrators promised daily profits, initially luring him with convincing claims of assured returns. Starting with small deposits, Sharma was encouraged to invest larger sums. Eventually, he transferred ₹4.40 lakh through multiple UPI IDs and bank accounts linked to the fraudsters.
However, after the payments, neither the promised profits nor the principal amount was returned. It soon became evident that Sharma had fallen prey to a well-organized cybercrime racket. Realizing the fraud, he immediately approached the police.
Police Register Case, Launch Probe
Civil Lines police registered the case under relevant sections and began investigating. Station House Officer (SHO) Manoj Kumar Saxena confirmed, “We have registered a case and the cyber cell is assisting in the probe. The linked bank accounts and UPI IDs used by the fraudsters are being traced.”
Experts Warn of Growing Pattern
Cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Professor Triveni Singh emphasized that such scams are not isolated incidents but part of a growing pattern. “Fraudsters are exploiting people’s aspirations by offering quick returns on investments. Platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp are increasingly used to set up such groups,” he explained.
Singh urged citizens to exercise caution, stressing that verification of sources is essential before investing. “Unless people stop transferring money blindly and report suspicious activity promptly, these scams will continue to thrive,” he warned.
Rising Digital Investment Frauds in India
Experts note that incidents of fraudulent online investment schemes are rising rapidly across India. Authorities continue to advise the public to avoid suspicious groups, verify links, and rely only on official investment channels.