Surat Business Consultant Defrauded of Rs 1.63 Crore in Elaborate Cyber Scam
In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 62-year-old business consultant and corporate trainer from Surat has been duped of a staggering Rs 1.63 crore after being enticed by promises of exorbitant returns through a fraudulent "Gold Mining Trading" scheme. The Surat cybercrime police have registered a formal case against unknown individuals and initiated a thorough investigation into this sophisticated scam.
How the Scam Unfolded: From Social Media to Financial Ruin
The victim, a resident of the upscale Athwalines area in Surat, was first contacted on Facebook on December 10, 2024. The initial approach came from a woman who identified herself as Anjali Modi, claiming to be a Mumbai-based fashion designer. After establishing contact, the two moved their conversation to WhatsApp, where the alleged fraudster introduced the victim to an investment opportunity that seemed too good to be true.
She promoted a scheme that promised returns of up to 66% per month, which translates to an astonishing 2.2% daily profit. To build credibility, she asserted that she had been investing in a Nevada-based gold mining firm since 2021 and shared a link to a trading application, urging the victim to create an account.
The Financial Drain: 35 Transactions Over Five Months
Convinced by the lucrative offer, the victim proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 1.63 crore in 35 separate transactions between December 2024 and April 2025. These funds were sent to various bank accounts provided by the accused, who maintained a facade of legitimacy throughout this period.
The scam reached its climax when the victim attempted to withdraw his supposed profits. At this point, the fraudsters demanded additional payments under a series of pretexts, including:
- Margin money requirements
- Audit fees
- Credit score charges
- International transfer fees
On April 24, 2025, the accused escalated their demands by asking for a further Rs 52.19 lakh to process the withdrawal, which finally triggered the victim's suspicion.
Police Action and Investigation
Realising he had been defrauded, the victim immediately contacted the national cyber helpline at 1930 and lodged a formal complaint on April 25, 2025. Based on this complaint, the Surat cybercrime police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Tuesday, marking the official start of their investigation.
Authorities are now working to trace the unknown perpetrators and recover the stolen funds. This case highlights the growing sophistication of online investment scams targeting individuals with promises of unrealistically high returns.
