A 39-year-old resident of Vastral, Ahmedabad, has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a staggering sum of nearly Rs 18 lakh to criminals operating a fake stock trading scheme through WhatsApp. The elaborate scam, which preyed on the victim's experience in the stock market, promised unrealistically high monthly returns exceeding 200%.
The Lure of Unrealistic Returns
The complainant, Pramit Darji, who had been investing in stocks for five years, received an unsolicited WhatsApp message on August 30. The message introduced him to a person named Pravin Patel, who was allegedly managing a premium stock trading group offering free tips and guaranteed massive profits. Intrigued by the promise of high returns, Darji clicked on the provided link and was added to a group named "Stock Market Forum 38."
To build credibility, the group administrators regularly shared market updates, charts, and trading advice. This created a convincing facade of a legitimate investment community. The scam then moved to a more personal level when an individual calling himself "Chris Harper" contacted Darji privately. Harper introduced him to a trading application named "Tencore Partners," claiming investments could be made round-the-clock and profits were assured.
The Trap is Sprung
To win Darji's complete trust, the fraudsters executed a classic tactic. After he made an initial investment of Rs 1 lakh, they allowed him to successfully withdraw Rs 25,000. This small but crucial success erased his doubts. Encouraged by this apparent legitimacy, Darji began transferring larger sums of money between August 30 and October 16 to various bank accounts provided by the accused.
The transactions continued until the total amount transferred reached a devastating Rs 17.9 lakh. The moment Darji attempted to withdraw his principal amount along with the promised profits, the communication channels went silent. "Chris Harper" and the WhatsApp group administrators stopped responding entirely, revealing the scam's true nature.
Action and Aftermath
Realizing he had been cheated, Pramit Darji immediately contacted the national cybercrime helpline 1930. Following their guidance, he filed a formal First Information Report (FIR) with the Ahmedabad Cybercrime Police. The case is now under investigation as authorities work to track the digital footprints and bank accounts used in this elaborate online investment fraud.
This incident serves as a stark warning for investors, especially those active on social media and messaging platforms. Cyber experts advise extreme caution against unsolicited investment offers, especially those promising guaranteed or abnormally high returns. Always verify the authenticity of trading platforms through official regulatory bodies and never transfer money to unknown bank accounts based on promises made in unverified chat groups.
