An employee of a non-banking financial company (NBFC) in Thane was allegedly duped of Rs.79 lakh after falling victim to a sophisticated scam carried out over WhatsApp, police officials said.
According to investigators, the fraud began when the victim received messages from unknown numbers posing as investment advisors. The scammers reportedly lured the NBFC employee with promises of high and quick returns through online trading and cryptocurrency-linked schemes. To build trust, the fraudsters initially showed fake profits on a fabricated digital dashboard and encouraged small test investments.
Once confidence was established, the victim was persuaded to transfer larger sums in multiple transactions to bank accounts and digital wallets controlled by the scammers. Over a short period, the total amount transferred touched Rs.79 lakh. When the victim attempted to withdraw the purported profits, the scammers stopped responding and the online platforms became inaccessible.
Realising he had been cheated, the NBFC employee approached the police. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. The matter is being investigated by the cybercrime unit of Thane Police, which is now tracking the money trail and the digital footprints of the accused.
Police officials have once again warned citizens to be cautious of unsolicited investment offers received through messaging apps or social media. They have advised people to verify credentials, avoid sharing personal or financial information, and report suspicious messages immediately.
The incident adds to a growing list of WhatsApp-based financial frauds, highlighting how cybercriminals are increasingly targeting working professionals with convincing and well-coordinated scams.
See What’s Next in Tech With the Fast Forward Newsletter
Tweets From @varindiamag
Nothing to see here - yet
When they Tweet, their Tweets will show up here.
