Kerala Resident Defrauded of ₹34.55 Lakh in Elaborate Online Trading Scam
In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a native of Thiruvananthapuram currently residing in Kakkanad, Ernakulam, has been swindled out of a staggering ₹34.55 lakh through a sophisticated online trading scheme orchestrated via social media platforms. The victim was systematically targeted and manipulated over several weeks, resulting in substantial financial devastation.
How the Social Media Trap Was Set
The fraudulent operation began when the victim was contacted through Facebook and WhatsApp by an individual posing as a representative of a legitimate online trading platform. The perpetrator, operating under the Facebook profile name 'KrishnaPriya Vijayan', employed persuasive tactics to build trust and credibility with the unsuspecting target.
Using promises of exceptionally high returns on investments, the accused convinced the victim to engage with a platform identified as 'FBS Markets INC'. This platform was presented as a lucrative opportunity for financial growth, exploiting the victim's desire for profitable investment avenues.
The Timeline of Financial Drainage
According to official police reports, the victim initiated a series of monetary transfers starting from December 19, 2025, continuing through January 7, 2026. What began as individual transactions soon escalated into a comprehensive financial extraction scheme.
In a particularly alarming development, the fraudster didn't limit the financial exploitation to the victim's personal accounts alone. The investigation has revealed that funds were also transferred from bank accounts belonging to the victim's relatives, significantly amplifying the total financial loss to the aforementioned ₹34.55 lakh figure.
Police Intervention and Legal Proceedings
The scheme unraveled when the accused abruptly ceased all communication after receiving the final payments. Left without recourse, the victim approached the cybercrime police station in Ernakulam to file a formal complaint, triggering immediate law enforcement action.
Authorities have registered a comprehensive case under Sections 316(2) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. These sections specifically address serious offenses related to cheating and aggravated cheating involving substantial financial losses, reflecting the gravity of this cybercrime incident.
Ongoing Investigation and Digital Forensics
The Ernakulam police have launched a multi-pronged investigation to address various aspects of this complex case:
- Suspect Identification: While the primary accused has been identified through the Facebook profile 'KrishnaPriya Vijayan', police are actively working to verify additional details about the suspect's identity and operational methods.
- Platform Authentication: Investigators are examining the legitimacy of the 'FBS Markets INC' trading platform to determine whether it represents a completely fabricated entity or a manipulated version of a genuine service.
- Financial Tracking: Specialized teams are tracing the money trail through detailed analysis of bank transaction records to potentially recover funds and identify accomplices.
- Digital Evidence Collection: Forensic experts are collecting and examining social media communications, WhatsApp conversations, and other digital footprints that could provide crucial evidence for prosecution.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the sophisticated methods employed by cybercriminals who exploit social media platforms to execute financial frauds. The Kerala police have emphasized the importance of vigilance when engaging with unsolicited investment opportunities online, particularly those promising unrealistically high returns with minimal risk.
