Hyderabad, India – In a shocking incident highlighting the growing threat of online financial scams, a 63-year-old man in Hyderabad has reportedly lost a substantial ₹43 lakh (approximately $51,500 USD) to cunning cyber fraudsters. He was ensnared in an elaborate fake online share trading scheme that promised lucrative returns.
The elaborate deception began when the victim received a WhatsApp message from an individual posing as a representative of a reputable private financial institution. The scammer presented enticing opportunities for investing in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) and engaging in share trading, guaranteeing exceptionally high profits.
Investigators from Hyderabad’s cybercrime department revealed that the fraudsters employed highly sophisticated methods to establish trust. They meticulously created fake online dashboards, displaying impressive but entirely fictitious profits. To add a layer of legitimacy, they even claimed these bogus trades were part of a Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP), a term often associated with genuine large-scale investments.
Further solidifying the illusion, the criminals allocated more shares than the victim could afford, cleverly labelling the deficit as a ‘non-interest loan.’ This tactic was then exploited to exert immense pressure on him, demanding additional payments and threatening to freeze his existing accounts if he failed to comply, creating a sense of urgency and fear.
The victim’s suspicions were finally aroused when his attempts to withdraw funds were repeatedly denied. Upon realizing the depth of the deception, he promptly reported the fraud to the authorities. A formal case has been registered, and a thorough investigation is now in progress to apprehend those responsible.
In light of this incident, the cybercrime police have issued a strong advisory, urging the public to exercise extreme vigilance. They emphasize the critical importance of thoroughly verifying the credentials of any individual or entity claiming to represent financial or trading institutions, especially when approached unsolicited with promises of unrealistic returns. Remember, if an investment opportunity sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.