A senior doctor in Ahmedabad has become the latest victim of a sophisticated online investment scam, losing a staggering sum of Rs 63 lakh to fraudsters who lured him with promises of extraordinary profits from the stock market.
The Anatomy of a Digital Deception
The 69-year-old medical practitioner, with over thirty years of service, was first approached on WhatsApp by an individual posing as an investment assistant from a financial company. The fraudster confidently assured the doctor of substantial returns if he invested in their exclusive stock market schemes. Initially sceptical, the doctor's doubts were systematically eroded after he was added to a dedicated WhatsApp group. In this group, other members frequently posted screenshots showcasing their purported profits, creating a powerful illusion of a legitimate and successful investment opportunity.
Convinced by the fabricated evidence, the doctor followed the instructions provided to him. He downloaded a specific application and carried out the steps to begin investing. After making his first investment, the app displayed a balance, which further solidified his trust in the entire process. This false sense of security was the hook that led to significant financial damage.
The Unraveling of a Costly Scheme
Over a period of time, acting on the directions of the alleged fraudsters, the doctor transferred a total of Rs 64.45 lakh into various bank accounts. The scam finally came to light when he attempted to withdraw his funds. At this point, he was informed that he needed to pay an additional Rs 16.91 lakh as a fee to access his investment portfolio.
"That is when I realized something was wrong," the doctor stated in his complaint. He refused to make any further payments and immediately approached the authorities.
Legal Repercussions for the Accused
The distressed doctor reported the entire incident to the Ahmedabad city cyber crime branch, which has registered a formal complaint. The FIR has been filed against five individuals under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 316 (2) for criminal breach of trust.
- Section 318(4) and 319(2) for cheating and cheating by impersonation.
- Section 336(3) for forgery.
- Section 340(2) for using a forged document or electronic record as genuine.
- Section 61(2A) for criminal conspiracy.
This case serves as a stark warning for all citizens, especially professionals and retirees with savings. Cybercriminals are employing increasingly convincing tactics, using social proof via WhatsApp groups and sophisticated fake applications to defraud their targets. The public is advised to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment offers, verify the legitimacy of any financial platform through official channels, and never transfer large sums based solely on online interactions.
