A couple from Indirapuram, Ghaziabad, has fallen victim to a cyber scam, resulting in a loss of ₹3 crore. Nabanita Mishra has filed a complaint with the local police, alleging that she and her husband were deceived by a fraudulent investment scheme promoted through a Facebook advertisement.
According to the FIR, Nabanita and Mrinal Mishra made 22 transactions totaling ₹3.1 crore to various bank accounts between July and August of this year.
The couple was drawn into the scam by a Facebook ad and was later added to a WhatsApp group supposedly managed by a well-known investment platform. The group’s administrator encouraged participation in a competition called GTC, promising significant returns.
Initially, the couple paid a monthly subscription fee of ₹2,000 for investment advice. They were then persuaded to make multiple payments for shares and IPO investments based on details provided by the company. The scammers also presented what seemed to be genuine SEBI registration details to enhance their credibility.
The scammers operated through a WhatsApp group where they shared transaction details and apparent profits. The couple was even pressured into taking out an ₹80 lakh loan, which they were told was necessary to access their supposed investments.
Although the investment details and profits were visible in the company’s app, the couple could not withdraw their funds and was instead asked to pay taxes. Their suspicions grew when they were unable to invest in IPOs through other platforms. Further investigation revealed alarming information about the company. Attempts to contact the numbers in the WhatsApp group, including those of other investors, proved fruitless, as the numbers were traced to Rajasthan.
A case has been registered under Section 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) (cheating) of BNS.
Tips to Avoid Online Investment Scams
– Ignore unsolicited investment offers: Be wary of advice received via email, social media, or phone calls from unknown sources.
– Verify the source: Independently check the credentials of anyone contacting you about investments.
– Check for registration: Ensure the investment firm or advisor is registered with relevant regulatory authorities.
– Understand the investment: Make sure you fully understand any investment product before committing funds.
– Avoid sharing personal information: Be cautious with sensitive details such as social security numbers, bank accounts, or passwords.
– Beware of high-pressure tactics: Be cautious if you feel pressured to invest quickly; this is often a red flag.
– Skeptical of guaranteed returns: Be suspicious of promises of high returns with no risk.
