A Noida resident has allegedly been cheated of ₹17.30 lakh after cyber fraudsters lured him with promises of high returns from stock market investments through a WhatsApp message and a Telegram group.
According to the report, the victim works for a private company. On December 12, 2025, he received a WhatsApp message claiming that investors could earn substantial profits by investing in the stock market. The sender subsequently added him to a Telegram group, where further investment-related information was shared.
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WhatsApp Message Leads to Investment Scheme
The fraud allegedly began when the victim was contacted through WhatsApp and persuaded to explore stock market investments. After being added to a Telegram group, he was encouraged to participate in the scheme and was provided with details for making investments.
The victim was later instructed to download a mobile application through which the investments were to be made. According to the complaint, the platform displayed steadily increasing investment values, creating the impression that the investments were generating significant returns.
Multiple Deposits Made Over Several Months
Believing the returns shown on the application, the victim continued investing money over a prolonged period. Between December 2025 and September 2026, he allegedly transferred ₹17.30 lakh into different bank accounts provided by the operators of the scheme.
The growing figures displayed on the application reportedly strengthened the victim’s confidence and encouraged further deposits. The funds were transferred in multiple transactions over the course of several months.
Fraud Uncovered During Withdrawal Attempt
The alleged scam came to light when the victim attempted to withdraw his money and the profits shown on the platform. According to the report, despite repeated efforts, he was unable to access either the invested amount or the purported earnings.
Realising that he had been deceived, the victim approached the Cyber Crime Police Station and filed a complaint. Police have registered a case and launched an investigation to identify those responsible for the fraud.
Authorities said efforts are underway to trace the accused and examine the financial trail connected to the transactions.