Zirakpur Resident Duped of Rs 7 Lakh in Elaborate WhatsApp Investment Scam
In a distressing incident highlighting the perils of online fraud, a resident of Zirakpur has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber scam, losing around Rs 7 lakh to fraudsters who lured him with fabricated investment opportunities and false profit claims. The local police have swiftly registered a case and initiated a comprehensive investigation to track down the perpetrators and recover the stolen funds.
How the WhatsApp Scam Unfolded
The victim's ordeal began when he received an unsolicited message on WhatsApp, which promised highly attractive investment plans supposedly linked to the stock market. The caller, posing as a legitimate financial advisor, allegedly shared convincing screenshots that displayed impressive returns earned by other investors within a remarkably short timeframe after making minimal initial investments.
"The complainant informed us that the accused skillfully gained his confidence by presenting fake profit statements and guaranteeing quick, substantial returns," revealed a police official involved in the case. This deceptive strategy effectively lowered the victim's guard, making him susceptible to further manipulation.
Escalation of the Fraudulent Scheme
Under the pretext of creating a secure online investment portfolio, the fraudster cunningly collected the victim's sensitive personal information, including his Aadhaar card details, PAN number, and bank account information. Subsequently, the victim was instructed to transfer an initial amount of Rs 1 lakh to a specified bank account.
"After the first transfer, the victim was shown online profits supposedly increasing from Rs 1 lakh to approximately Rs 6.5 lakh, which thoroughly convinced him of the scheme's authenticity," disclosed police sources familiar with the investigation. Encouraged by these fabricated gains, the victim reportedly invested additional sums in various purported plans, transferring nearly Rs 7 lakh more over time.
The Final Betrayal and Police Response
The fraudulent platform continued to display his total profits soaring to around Rs 10 lakh, creating an illusion of success. However, when the victim attempted to withdraw his earnings, he faced a harsh reality: all contact numbers of the accused were switched off, and he was completely blocked from any further communication.
Police officials have confirmed that intensive efforts are currently underway to trace the bank accounts and mobile numbers utilized in this scam. They are also analyzing digital footprints to identify the cyber criminals behind this elaborate fraud, emphasizing the need for public vigilance against such online threats.
