Mumbai | A fresh case of cyber fraud has been reported from Maharashtra, where a 34-year-old jeweller from Solapur was cheated of ₹7.36 lakh through a fraudulent online gaming investment scheme. The victim was lured via Telegram messages promising exceptionally high returns within a short period. Following a complaint, Mumbai Cyber Crime Police have registered a case under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act and initiated an investigation.
How the trap was laid
According to police officials, the victim received a message on Telegram in July from an unknown individual claiming to be an investment advisor. The sender promised returns of 200 to 300 per cent within 10 days and said investments could range from as little as ₹100 to as much as ₹50 lakh. The money, the scammer claimed, would be deployed in the stock market and various online gaming companies, generating “assured profits”.
Tempted by the prospect of quick gains, the victim clicked on a link shared in the message. The link led to a fraudulent gaming website, where he registered and opened an account. To test the platform, he initially invested ₹2,000 and soon received ₹4,000 as a return. This early payout created a sense of trust, prompting him to gradually increase the amount invested.
Certified Cyber Crime Investigator Course Launched by Centre for Police Technology
Multiple transfers, then silence
Investigations reveal that between July 8 and October 11, the victim transferred a total of ₹7.36 lakh through more than 40 transactions to different beneficiary accounts, acting on the scammer’s instructions. While small returns were shown at the beginning, payments stopped once larger sums were transferred.
When the victim attempted to contact the individual who had approached him, there was no response. Soon after, both the Telegram account and the associated website became inactive. Realising he had been defrauded, the victim approached the cyber crime helpline, following which a formal case was registered.
Legal action and technical probe
Cyber Crime Police have booked the case under sections related to criminal breach of trust, cheating and impersonation, along with relevant provisions of the IT Act. Investigators are tracing the money trail through bank accounts and digital payment channels used in the transactions. Technical teams are also examining the fake website, its domain details, server locations and digital communication records to identify those behind the scam.
Pattern of organised cyber fraud
Cyber crime researchers note that such cases follow a well-established pattern. According to studies by Future Crime Research Foundation, fraudsters often build confidence by offering quick returns on small investments before persuading victims to commit larger amounts. The use of Telegram and similar messaging platforms to circulate “guaranteed return” schemes has emerged as one of the most common tactics in recent years.
The foundation’s research indicates that online gaming–linked investment platforms used in such scams are typically short-lived. Once payments stop or complaints arise, these platforms are quickly taken offline, making recovery of funds difficult.
Advisory to the public
Cyber police and cyber crime experts have urged citizens to remain cautious of investment offers circulated through social media and messaging apps. They have advised against clicking on unknown links, investing through unverified platforms or trusting claims of assured or unusually high returns. Any suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the cyber crime helpline or the nearest police station.
The case once again highlights how cyber fraudsters exploit greed and trust by showing small initial gains before siphoning off larger sums. Further legal action will follow as the investigation progresses.
