A government employee residing in Greater Noida has been defrauded of a staggering sum of nearly Rs 1.3 crore by cybercriminals operating a sophisticated fake investment scheme. The fraud, which unfolded over nearly a year, was revealed only after the victim faced relentless pressure to invest more money and was subsequently blocked when he tried to withdraw his funds.
The Anatomy of a Sophisticated Scam
Based on a First Information Report (FIR) filed by the victim, the elaborate con began approximately a year ago. The complainant stated that a woman who identified herself as Divya Sharma first contacted him on WhatsApp. She presented herself as a successful businesswoman based in Dadar, Mumbai, claiming to earn substantial profits from investments.
Divya Sharma then persuaded the government employee to invest through a firm she called the Golden Bridge Investment Company. To build trust, she initiated the first transaction on January 28, 2025. The victim invested Rs 40,000 and was promptly shown a "profit" of Rs 8,000, which was actually transferred to his bank account. This convincing act made the platform appear legitimate.
Months of Deception and Mounting Losses
Encouraged by the initial "return," the victim entered a period of escalating investments. Between February 1 and November 11, 2025, he transferred over Rs 1.24 crore to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He was also instructed to download a dedicated application that falsely displayed his profits rising, further cementing the illusion of a genuine investment.
To add another layer of credibility, the fraudster added the victim to a WhatsApp group early in their interaction. The group featured several other participants, including a person posing as a "teacher" who offered investment tips. Members regularly shared screenshots of their supposed profits, creating a false community of successful investors. After being cheated, the victim realized all other participants were likely part of the scam network.
Investigation Launched, Accounts Frozen
The scheme collapsed when the victim, facing a personal financial need, attempted to withdraw his money. At this point, Divya Sharma allegedly demanded he pay a 30% tax on the accumulated amount, followed by various other charges. When he refused to pay more, she cut off all communication.
Following his complaint, the Cybercrime Police Station in Noida has registered a formal case and initiated an investigation. Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police (Cyber) Shavya Goyal confirmed that the bank accounts which received the fraudulent transfers are under scrutiny. The concerned banks have been approached with requests to freeze the funds to prevent further movement.
This case highlights the increasing sophistication of cyber frauds that use psychological manipulation, fake applications, and fabricated social proof to lure victims. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution with unsolicited investment offers, especially those initiated on messaging platforms like WhatsApp.
