Udupi Man Loses Rs 18.6 Lakh in Elaborate Telegram Trading Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the perils of online fraud, a resident of Cherkadi village in Brahmavar taluk, Udupi district, has reportedly been cheated out of a staggering sum of Rs 18.6 lakh. The elaborate scam was orchestrated through a Telegram group, preying on the victim's trust with promises of lucrative trading profits.
The Deceptive Lure of Quick Profits
The complainant detailed that approximately eight months ago, an unknown individual added his Telegram ID to a group intriguingly named '2004.' Within this digital forum, a person identifying herself as Kelly began posting messages that claimed to demystify methods for earning substantial money through online trading. Kelly elaborated on the process of creating trading accounts and painted a picture of consistent financial gains.
Subsequently, Kelly took the manipulation a step further by contacting the complainant directly via the Telegram application. She offered personalized guidance, assuring him that she would mentor him through the trading process and regularly share profit details within the group. This direct, seemingly supportive approach helped build a false sense of security and credibility.
The Trap Springs Shut
Acting on Kelly's instructions, the complainant was directed to log in to a specific website and create a trading account in his own name. Trusting the assurances and the tips being shared in the group, he proceeded to transfer a total of Rs 18.6 lakh from his personal bank account to various accounts as specified by the accused. The transactions were made over time, based on the ongoing guidance and profit claims circulated by Kelly.
However, the promised returns never materialized. The accused neither returned the principal invested amount nor paid out any of the touted profits. The victim, realizing he had been defrauded, was left facing significant financial loss.
Legal Action Initiated
Following a formal complaint, the authorities at the CEN police station have registered a case to investigate this serious cyber fraud. The police have invoked relevant sections of the law to address the digital and criminal aspects of the scam.
The case has been registered under:
- Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which pertain to identity theft and cheating by personation using computer resources.
- Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which deals with the offense of cheating.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment opportunities promoted on social media and messaging platforms. Experts advise verifying the legitimacy of any trading platform or individual offering financial advice online and to never transfer funds based solely on promises from unverified sources.
