A 51-year-old doctor from Surat has become the latest victim of a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing a staggering sum of Rs 28.93 lakh to criminals impersonating officials from a renowned investment firm. The case, registered with the Surat Cybercrime Police on Tuesday, highlights the increasingly complex tactics used by online scammers to target professionals.
The Lure of High Returns on Facebook
The unfortunate sequence of events began on October 22, when the doctor, who is employed at a cancer hospital in Surat, encountered an advertisement related to share market investments on Facebook. Intrigued by the offer, he clicked on the ad, which led to him being added to a WhatsApp group. This group falsely claimed to be operated by Anand Rathi Securities Ltd, a legitimate and respected financial services company.
Within the group, the fraudsters meticulously built trust with the victim. They dangled the promise of exceptionally high returns: 15–20% from regular share market investments and an unbelievable 200–300% from IPO (Initial Public Offering) investments. They specifically offered him bulk IPO shares at discounted rates, assuring him of substantial and guaranteed profits.
The Elaborate Trap and Mounting Transfers
To make the scheme appear legitimate, the accused persuaded the doctor to open a trading account on a platform they provided and link it to his bank account. The first transaction took place on October 27, with the victim transferring Rs 2 lakh. The scammers then showed him fabricated profits in his trading account, using this false success as bait to encourage further investment.
Encouraged by the seemingly growing balance, the doctor continued to transfer more funds. This continued until December 8, by which time he had poured a total of Rs 28.93 lakh into the fraudulent scheme. The entire process spanned over a month and a half, during which the scammers maintained constant communication to allay any suspicions.
The Final Demand That Exposed the Scam
The truth finally emerged on December 11 when the doctor decided to withdraw his entire investment along with the shown profits. At this point, the fraudsters made a new demand: they asked for an additional Rs 14.30 lakh as short-term capital gains tax before the withdrawal could be processed.
This demand raised a red flag. The victim offered to pay the supposed tax directly through the Surat Income Tax department, a standard and secure procedure. The fraudsters' outright refusal to accept this legitimate method of payment finally made the doctor realise he had been cheated. He promptly approached the cybercrime police to file an official complaint, detailing the entire sophisticated operation.
This case serves as a critical warning for all investors, especially those exploring opportunities online. Cybercriminals are creating highly convincing facades using names of reputable firms. Experts advise the public to:
- Always verify the authenticity of investment platforms directly through the official website and contact numbers of the company.
- Be extremely wary of unsolicited offers promising guaranteed or unusually high returns with low risk.
- Never pay large "taxes" or "fees" directly to individual agents for withdrawals; legitimate processes are handled through official channels.
- Report any suspicious communication immediately to the cybercrime authorities.
The Surat Cybercrime police have initiated an investigation into the matter and are working to track down the individuals behind this elaborate scam.
