Housewife cheated of Rs 55L in ‘investment group’ fraud

Ahmedabad: A 39-year-old housewife from Vejalpur has filed a complaint with the Cybercrime police alleging that she was cheated of Rs 55.4 lakh after being lured into an online stock market investment racket promising exorbitant monthly returns. The alleged fraud was operated through WhatsApp groups and a trading application that projected itself as a legitimate investment platform.In her complaint, the woman stated that in Feb she received an unsolicited WhatsApp call from an unknown number. The caller claimed that by investing in online stock trading, she could earn up to 200% monthly returns, while assuring her there were no hidden charges or platform fees. Shortly thereafter, she was added to a WhatsApp group which appeared to be active and professionally managed.According to the complainant, the group was filled with messages praising a so-called mentor, who was projected as a seasoned market expert. Members were encouraged to invest through a particular securities platform, with regular posts showcasing alleged profits and success stories. She was guided to register on a website, complete KYC procedures and download a mobile trading application.The woman stated that a detailed training programme was conducted over nearly two weeks, during which members were told they could trade in both Indian and the UK stock markets. Initially cautious, she invested smaller sums and was even allowed to withdraw nearly Rs 1 lakh, which boosted her confidence in the platform's credibility.Subsequently, she was persuaded to join another "exclusive" WhatsApp group, where she was told that higher profits were possible only through larger investments. The complainant alleged she was convinced to invest more than Rs 50 lakh, with assurances of significantly higher returns.Between March 4 and 17, she transferred Rs 51.5 lakh through 19 online transactions into multiple bank accounts shared by the fraudsters. Although the application displayed a balance of around Rs 82 lakh, including supposed profits, her withdrawal requests repeatedly failed. After researching online and finding similar fraud complaints, she contacted the 1930 cybercrime helpline and registered a formal complaint. Police have now launched an investigation into cheating and criminal breach of trust.Info boxHeadline: Lured with 200% returnsVejalpur housewife lured by WhatsApp stock scheme promising 200% returnsFraudsters added victim to investment group posing fake mentor onlineSmall withdrawals allowed initially to build trust before pushing investmentsWoman transferred Rs 51.5 lakh in 19 online transactionsFake trading app showed inflated balance while withdrawals repeatedly failedCybercrime police registered case after victim contacted 1930 helpline