Ahmedabad Man Loses Rs 26,000 in Stock Market Telegram Scam
In a distressing incident of online fraud, an unemployed man from Ahmedabad has lost close to Rs 26,000 after falling victim to a scam promising lucrative stock market returns through a Telegram group. The case highlights the growing risks of digital financial deception in India.
Details of the Scam
The victim, identified as Dahya Prajapati, a 35-year-old resident of Asarwa, was allegedly lured into the Telegram group on January 22. The group claimed to offer daily profits from stock market investments, targeting individuals seeking quick financial gains.
According to Prajapati's police complaint filed on Sunday, he contacted a mobile number shared in the group. He was then instructed to transfer Rs 25,000 to a specified UPI ID, with promises of returns the very next day.
Escalation of the Fraud
After making the initial payment, Prajapati received no response to his follow-up inquiries until February 18. At that point, he was told to pay an additional Rs 999 to withdraw his investment and accumulated profits. Trusting this claim, he transferred the amount to another UPI ID.
When the same pattern of silence repeated, with no communication or funds returned, Prajapati decided to take action. He first approached the cybercrime helpline for assistance before filing a formal complaint with the local police.
Police Investigation Underway
Authorities have registered a case of online cheating based on the complaint. The investigation is now focused on tracing the accused through the mobile number and UPI transactions involved in the scam. Police are urging the public to exercise caution when engaging with unsolicited investment offers on social media platforms.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by online financial scams, particularly those exploiting platforms like Telegram to lure victims with false promises of high returns.
