Gomti Nagar Resident Loses Rs 49.2 Lakh in Elaborate Investment Scam
A resident of Gomti Nagar in Lucknow has filed a formal complaint with the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) after falling victim to a sophisticated investment fraud. The scam resulted in a staggering loss of over Rs 49.2 lakh for the victim.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraud began in June 2025 when the victim received a message on a social media platform. The sender claimed to be a high-ranking financial professional operating from Bengaluru. This individual spent considerable time building a friendly relationship with the victim, gaining their trust through regular conversations.
After establishing rapport, the suspect introduced the idea of online trading. To demonstrate legitimacy, they orchestrated a classic bait-and-switch maneuver. The victim made an initial investment of Rs 40,000. Remarkably, that same evening, they received Rs 46,000 back, presented as guaranteed profit.
The Trap Springs Shut
Encouraged by this apparent success, the victim started transferring much larger sums of money. Between June and October 2025, the Gomti Nagar resident transferred a total of Rs 49,20,240. These funds went to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudster.
The scammer used a fake online trading portal to maintain the illusion. This portal displayed live trading balances, falsely showing the victim's investment had ballooned to over Rs 3 crore. To further cement trust, the suspect even shared a copy of an Aadhaar card. They claimed this was necessary for planning a joint trip to a religious site in Uttar Pradesh.
The Reality Emerges
Problems began when the victim exhausted all personal savings and requested a withdrawal. The suspect immediately changed tactics. They offered various excuses to delay the process, citing server maintenance and site downtime as reasons for the holdup.
Then came demands for additional payments. The fraudster insisted the victim pay platform fees and conversion charges to release the funds. When the victim hesitated, threats followed. The scammer warned that failure to pay extra taxes would result in account freezing.
Taking Action
Realizing the manipulation, the victim stopped all further payments. The suspect responded by immediately cutting off all communication channels, blocking the victim completely.
The Gomti Nagar resident has now submitted comprehensive digital evidence to the authorities. This includes chat records, transaction details, and screenshots from the fraudulent portal. Police have registered a First Information Report at the cybercrime police station and launched a formal investigation into the matter.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of online investment scams targeting individuals through social media platforms. Authorities urge citizens to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited investment opportunities, especially those promising guaranteed returns.
