In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 62-year-old man from Kochi has been cheated of a staggering sum exceeding Rs 2.14 crore in a sophisticated online investment scam. The incident, which highlights the growing menace of digital financial crimes, was reported to the Ernakulam Cyber Police, who have registered a formal First Information Report (FIR).
How the Elaborate Scam Unfolded
The victim, a resident of a flat near Changampuzha Park in Ponekkara, first encountered the fraudsters through an advertisement on social media. After he responded to the ad, the accused collected his personal details and initiated contact through WhatsApp. Posing as legitimate investment advisors, they lured him with promises of exceptionally high returns through online trading.
The con artists directed the senior citizen to a specific website, main.anandrathipro.net, to conduct the trading. Trusting their assurances, the victim began transferring money from his four State Bank of India (SBI) accounts. According to the police complaint, he made a total of 15 separate transactions, funneling money to various accounts as instructed by the scammers.
The Timeline of Financial Drain
The fraudulent activity spanned over a month, with the victim depositing funds in instalments between October 30 and December 3. It was only after he had transferred the colossal amount of Rs 2,14,20,000 that he realized he had been duped. The promised high returns never materialized, and the communication from the fraudsters likely ceased, prompting him to seek help.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigation
Upon realizing the magnitude of the fraud, the victim approached the Ernakulam Cyber Police. The police took swift action and registered an FIR on Saturday. The case has been filed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology (IT) Act, indicating the serious nature of the cybercrime.
This case serves as a critical reminder for the public, especially senior citizens who may be less familiar with digital risks. Cyber police officials urge citizens to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited investment opportunities promising unrealistic gains. They advise verifying the legitimacy of any platform and avoiding sharing personal or financial information with unknown entities online.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working to track the digital trail and the multiple bank accounts used to receive the illicit funds.
