Retired IAF Sergeant Defrauded of Rs 18.15 Lakh in Elaborate WhatsApp Stock Trading Scam
In a distressing case of cyber fraud, a retired Indian Air Force sergeant from Patna has been duped of a staggering Rs 18.15 lakh by criminals operating a sophisticated fake stock trading scheme through WhatsApp and a fraudulent mobile application. The Patna police confirmed the incident on Wednesday, highlighting the growing threat of digital financial scams targeting unsuspecting investors.
Victim Details and Initial Contact
The victim, identified as Brajesh Kumar Singh, a retired sergeant who served in the Indian Air Force until his retirement on September 30, 2024, resides in Anandpuri under the jurisdiction of the Sadar police station. Seeking to invest his retirement benefits wisely, Singh encountered an entity named Funsol Securities Pvt Ltd on March 18, which lured him with promises of exceptionally high returns on stock market investments.
Shortly after expressing interest, Singh was added to a WhatsApp group comprising approximately 120 members. The group was allegedly administered by individuals using the pseudonyms Gul Tek Chandni and Ananya Kulkarni, who presented themselves as legitimate financial advisors.
The Fraudulent Scheme Unfolds
The administrators instructed Singh to download the FinsolGo app from the Google Play Store to begin trading. On March 24, he made an initial investment of Rs 15,000, and the app displayed an allocation of 3,200 shares in his account, creating an illusion of legitimate trading activity.
Encouraged by this, on March 30, Singh transferred Rs 3 lakh via RTGS to a bank account held under the name Kings Enterprises. However, the situation quickly turned sinister. On April 1, without his consent, the app showed an allotment of 60,000 shares in his name. When Singh raised objections, he was allegedly threatened on WhatsApp, with the fraudsters warning that his earlier investment would be blocked unless he paid additional funds.
Escalation of Threats and Further Losses
Under intense pressure and fearing the loss of his initial investment, Singh deposited another Rs 15 lakh into a bank account named Juken Uni Product. Following this payment, the app reflected nearly three lakh shares in his account and demanded an additional Rs 11 lakh. When Singh finally refused to comply with further demands, he was abruptly removed from the WhatsApp group, cutting off all communication with the fraudsters.
Police Investigation and Response
The case came to light after Singh lodged a First Information Report (FIR) at the cyber police station in Patna on April 14. Cyber DSP Himanshu Kumar stated that a formal case has been registered, and inspector Devendra Kumar is leading the investigation. "Efforts are on to identify and arrest the cyber fraudsters involved in this elaborate scam," Kumar assured, emphasizing the police's commitment to tackling such digital crimes.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks associated with online investment platforms and unsolicited financial advice through social media channels. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution, verify the legitimacy of investment opportunities, and report any suspicious activities to cyber crime units immediately.
