Bhopal Woman Loses Rs 36.75 Lakh in Elaborate WhatsApp Investment Scam
Police in Bhopal have registered a major cyber fraud case after a 36-year-old woman railway employee lost a staggering Rs 36.75 lakh to criminals operating through WhatsApp. The victim, a resident of Saket Nagar in the Bag Sewania area, fell prey to promises of lucrative share market and IPO investments.
How the WhatsApp Trap Was Set
According to Bag Sewania Station House Officer Amit Soni, the fraud began when unknown persons added the woman to a WhatsApp group approximately one and a half months ago. The group contained several members and regularly posted messages about market trends, fluctuations, and investment strategies.
The content appeared highly credible, featuring what seemed like professional training sessions and market analysis. The woman, who had prior experience with share market investments, found the information convincing and believed she had joined a legitimate investment community.
The IPO Investment Pitch
Group members soon informed her about an upcoming Initial Public Offering. They claimed that investing in this IPO would generate substantial profits. Trusting their expertise, the woman transferred Rs 14 lakh as her initial investment.
Shortly afterward, the fraudsters delivered alarming news. They told her that due to an administrative error, two IPOs had been allotted in her name. They warned that unless she invested in the second IPO as well, her initial Rs 14 lakh would be completely forfeited.
Fearing the loss of her money, the victim transferred another Rs 12 lakh. Through various transactions under the guise of IPO investments, the criminals ultimately extracted Rs 36.75 lakh from her accounts.
Suspicions Arise and Police Action
Even after receiving this substantial amount, the fraudsters continued to demand more payments. Their persistent demands finally raised the woman's suspicions. She realized she had been cheated and immediately approached the State Cyber Crime Headquarters to file a formal complaint.
The case diary was forwarded to Bag Sewania Police Station, where authorities have now registered a case and launched a full investigation. Police teams are actively working to trace the bank accounts used in the fraud and follow the digital trail left by the accused.
This incident serves as a stark reminder about the sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals, who often target individuals with some financial knowledge to make their schemes appear more legitimate. Authorities urge citizens to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment opportunities shared through messaging platforms.
