Hyderabad Residents Defrauded of Over 4 Crore in Sophisticated Stock Market Scams
In a distressing development from Hyderabad, two residents of Kondapur have reportedly been swindled out of more than 4 crore rupees in two separate, meticulously orchestrated stock market trading frauds. The Cyberabad cyber crime police have officially registered cases and initiated comprehensive investigations to track down and apprehend the offenders behind these elaborate schemes.
First Case: The '95 Barclays Group' WhatsApp Trap
In the first complaint, a 57-year-old private sector employee from Kondapur detailed how he was ensnared in a complex fraud. On December 11, 2025, he was added to a WhatsApp group named '95 Barclays Group India Wealth Advisory Panel'. The group administrators presented themselves as CEO Professor CS Venkatakrishnan and analyst Sanya Joshi, creating an aura of legitimacy and expertise.
The fraudsters made enticing promises, including a guaranteed 5% daily return on investments, exclusive access to upper-circuit trades, and high-yield IPO allotments. Convinced by these assurances, the victim was guided to open an internal equity account on a fraudulent application that mimicked a legitimate trading platform.
Acting on their instructions, the victim transferred a staggering 2.93 crore rupees into 33 different bank accounts between January 12 and January 31. Throughout this period, he was permitted to withdraw only a meager 5,000 rupees. The realization of the scam dawned when the accused persistently pressured him to deposit an additional 32 lakh rupees for a supposed IPO allotment, instead of allowing any meaningful withdrawal of his funds.
Second Case: The 'Carlyle Capital Forum' Deception
In a parallel incident, a 75-year-old retired electrical engineer from Kondapur filed a complaint on Friday. He recounted being added to a WhatsApp group called 'Carlyle Capital Forum G' on December 16, 2025, by an individual identifying herself as Sneha Sharma.
Under her guidance, the victim opened a stock trading account on the website carlyle-group.cc, a platform designed to appear authentic. Following instructions from another handler named Anuj Poddar, the victim proceeded to transfer 1.18 crore rupees to multiple bank accounts between January 5 and January 28.
When the victim attempted to withdraw his purported profits, the fraudsters introduced a new demand: payment of an additional tax. This unreasonable request finally prompted the victim to approach the police, exposing the fraudulent nature of the entire operation.
Police Response and Ongoing Investigation
The Cyberabad cyber crime police have taken swift action by registering formal cases based on these complaints. Investigators are now delving into the digital footprints, bank transactions, and communication trails left by the perpetrators. The modus operandi in both cases highlights a growing trend of using fake social media groups and sophisticated imitation platforms to lure unsuspecting investors with promises of unrealistic returns.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited investment opportunities, especially through messaging apps like WhatsApp. They advise verifying the authenticity of trading platforms and financial advisors through official channels before committing any funds. The investigation aims to not only recover the lost money but also dismantle the networks behind these fraudulent schemes to prevent future victims.
