Ahmedabad Man Loses Rs 18 Lakh in Sophisticated Online Investment Scam
A 53-year-old resident of Isanpur in Ahmedabad has filed a formal complaint with the Cybercrime police, alleging that he was defrauded of Rs 18 lakh in a meticulously orchestrated online investment scam. The incident, reported on Thursday, underscores the escalating threat of cyber-criminals employing advanced social engineering tactics to exploit unsuspecting individuals across India.
Details of the Fraudulent Scheme
According to the official complaint, the victim was initially contacted by a woman identifying herself as "Jyoti Sharma" on Facebook in September 2025. She portrayed herself as a Mumbai-based designer associated with a UK-based firm, gradually building rapport and persuading him to explore forex trading opportunities. To facilitate the scam, the victim was instructed to share personal documents, after which he was granted access to a specialized trading application.
This app displayed fabricated profits, creating a convincing illusion of successful investments. The fraudsters further gained his trust by permitting a small initial withdrawal, which appeared legitimate. Over time, they convinced him to transfer a total of Rs 17.98 lakh to multiple bank accounts under various pretexts.
Escalation and Investigation
When the victim attempted to withdraw larger sums, the accused pressured him to pay additional "taxes" and fees. Growing suspicious of a deeper fraud, he halted all further payments and promptly reported the matter to the authorities. The Ahmedabad Cybercrime police have now launched a comprehensive investigation, focusing on tracing the digital footprint of the culprits involved in this elaborate scam.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of online frauds, where criminals use fake identities and manipulated platforms to deceive victims. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in online investments and to verify the authenticity of trading platforms thoroughly.
