A 42-year-old woman from Kalyan became the victim of a stock market investment scam, losing a staggering ₹51.56 lakh after being lured by a fraudulent Facebook advertisement. The scam, which unfolded between December and February, saw the woman fall prey to a well-orchestrated fraud scheme.
In December, the victim clicked on a Facebook ad promising lucrative investment opportunities and was redirected to a WhatsApp number associated with a so-called stock market analyst. The scammers added her to a WhatsApp group where they offered "exclusive" investment tips and guidance. Persuaded by their convincing tactics, she was instructed to download a fake trading app to track her investments.
From December 31 to February 13, the woman transferred several amounts to different accounts, believing that she was earning profits. However, on February 14, when she attempted to withdraw her funds, the scammers denied her request, claiming that an "advance tax" was required to process the withdrawal. This marked the turning point, as the woman realized she had been scammed and immediately informed her family.
The victim approached the Thane police, who have since launched an investigation. A case has been filed under Section 66D of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cyber fraud. Police are now tracking the mobile numbers, WhatsApp group details, and the financial transactions involved to apprehend the perpetrators. Authorities have warned the public to remain cautious of such scams, particularly those involving online ads and unverified trading platforms. They advised individuals to conduct thorough research and consult trusted professionals before making any investments. The investigation is ongoing, and the police have urged anyone with information related to the scam to come forward and assist in identifying the culprits.