A doctor from Gurgaon has alleged that he lost Rs 50 lakh in a foreign currency investment fraud. The incident started with a friendly conversation on social media with a woman who claimed to give financial advice.
How It Started
The doctor, who works in the surgical oncology department at a hospital in Gurgaon, explained in his police complaint that a woman befriended him on social media. They continued their conversation on Telegram, where she gained his trust and offered advice on gaining maximum returns from foreign currency investments.
Initial Investment and Lure of Profits
The doctor initially invested Rs 40,000 on a website suggested by the woman. He saw a huge profit and was able to withdraw Rs 5,200. Encouraged by these returns, he increased his investment over time, reaching Rs 23 lakh by May.
Increasing Investment and Paying Taxes
The woman then advised him to invest more, which required paying a tax of $9,000 for a profit of $30,000. The doctor continued to pay these taxes regularly, eventually totaling Rs 50 lakh, including the tax amounts.
Realization of Fraud
After two months, the woman blocked his contact, and the doctor was unable to reach her via phone or WhatsApp. Realizing he had been defrauded, he submitted a complaint to the Cyber Police Station of South District last month.
Police Investigation
A senior police officer confirmed that a case of cheating under section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been lodged. The investigation is ongoing.
