A cyber fraud was registered in Kochulloor, a sub locality in Ulloor, Thiruvananthapuram by a 53-year-old doctor who was cheated by a North Indian gang of ten and lost Rs.3.42 crore to an online trading fraud.
In March, these fraudsters established a friendship with the doctor through a WhatsApp group. The victim was contacted by a person in this group explaining the importance of online trading. These fraudsters lure people into the groups under the pretense of being a part of leading share trading research teams like Tata Investment Club and Share Boost and assure them of good returns and the key bait is to make them download specialized mobile applications.
After downloading the fraudulent app, the doctor found that many people turned into billionaires but it was too late before he realized they were all fake profiles.
A case has been registered under section 66 (D) of the Information Technology Act and IPC Sections 419 for cheating by personation and 420 for cheating. They're actively trying to block the accounts to which the snatched money was transferred and are finding more details on whom it was sent to.
Initially, the doctor invested small amounts like Rs.15k and made huge profits. Looking at such attractive returns and being advised by the fraudsters to invest more, he invested Rs. 1.25 cr in various bank accounts within a span of two weeks.
The fraud only came to light when the doctor tried withdrawing money after he received a message of money being credited to his account.
The cyber police have said that a case has been registered under section 66 (D) of the Information Technology Act and IPC Sections 419 for cheating by personation and 420 for cheating. They've taken the required details from the victim and are actively trying to block the accounts to which the snatched money was transferred and are finding more details on whom it was sent.
In March this year, a similar case happened in Gurugram where he lost Rs.2.5 crores to an online trading scam by unidentified cybercriminals. There have been several rising cyber crimes registered in Thiruvananthapuram alone. A total of Rs. 1.9 crores was lost by 4 people in the city, and a resident of Kanyakumari residing in Sreekaryam Pangappara lost Rs.1.44 crores. Additionally, a resident of Srikariyam Manguzhi was defrauded of Rs. 17 lakhs and another from Manakkad Kallattumukk lost Rs. 27 lakhs. They were all reported to have lost their money through a WhatsApp group called Stock Vanguard.
(Input from various sources)
(Rehash/Aditi Madathingal/MSM)