Pune Real Estate Employee Loses Rs46 Lakh in Dating App Investment Scam
A 43-year-old employee of a prominent real estate developer in Pune has become the victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud scheme. The man, who resides in Wagholi, lost a staggering Rs46.33 lakh to criminals who promised him lucrative profits on investments.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraud began when the victim accepted a friend request on a popular dating application. Soon after connecting, he received messages promoting investments in commodity and century markets. These markets supposedly dealt with oil, forex, metals, and cryptocurrency.
A woman then contacted him through a mobile messaging app, offering to help him invest his money for substantial returns. Intrigued by the opportunity, the victim clicked on a shared link and filled out his details to open a trading account.
Initial Success Turned to Massive Loss
Investigating officers revealed that the victim first invested Rs25,000. He reportedly earned a profit of Rs10,000 from this initial transaction and was able to withdraw Rs3,000. This small success convinced him to invest more substantial amounts.
The situation quickly escalated. Following instructions from the fraudsters, the victim began transferring money to various bank accounts provided by the criminals. His desperation grew so intense that he sold a parcel of land, borrowed money from friends, and took out both a personal loan and a gold loan to fund these transfers.
The Staggering Financial Loss
In total, between October and November of last year, the man transferred Rs46.33 lakh to different bank accounts controlled by the cybercrooks. His trading account eventually showed an apparent profit of Rs1.74 crore, creating an illusion of massive wealth.
However, when he attempted to withdraw this money, the fraudsters demanded an additional Rs35 lakh under the pretext of paying taxes. It was at this point that the victim consulted his brother, who immediately advised him to approach the police.
Police Investigation and Case Details
The victim initially filed an online complaint. After preliminary investigations, the Wagholi police formally registered a case on Sunday. Officers have traced the flow of money to bank accounts in multiple states across India.
The investigation has revealed that the stolen funds were transferred to accounts in:
- Gaya in Bihar
- Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh
- Surat in Gujarat
- Chennai, Coimbatore, and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu
Police officials confirmed that their investigation is ongoing. They urge citizens to exercise extreme caution when approached with unsolicited investment opportunities, particularly through social media and dating applications.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber fraud schemes targeting individuals through personal connections on digital platforms. Authorities recommend verifying all investment opportunities through registered financial advisors and avoiding transactions with unknown parties promising unrealistic returns.
