Pune: Two women in Pune have fallen victim to sophisticated cyber scams, losing a combined ₹46 lakh to criminals who exploited their trust by promising stock market returns and, in one case, by issuing threats of police action.

Separate complaints were filed at the Sahakarnagar and Vimantal Police Stations, and investigations are underway.

In the first case, a resident of Padmavati reported that cyber fraudsters approached her with an investment scheme promising high returns in the stock market.

Lured by the potential gains, she transferred a total of ₹26.25 lakh to the criminals' accounts over a period of time. The fraudsters initially made it appear that she was earning returns, but when she attempted to contact them for more information, they ceased all communication, even deactivating their phone numbers.

Recognizing the scam, the woman filed a complaint, and Senior Police Inspector Chhagan Kapse has taken charge of the investigation.

In the second case, a woman residing in Viman Nagar lost ₹20 lakh after cyber criminals threatened her with police action.

According to her complaint, the scammers contacted her with false claims of a suspicious package in her name, allegedly containing passports, a laptop, and illegal substances, intercepted at Mumbai Airport.

The fraudsters demanded that she immediately deposit ₹20 lakh to avoid police involvement. Uncertain and alarmed, she complied, later realizing the fraud when she was unable to contact the perpetrators.

Inspector Rajendra Panhale from the Crime Branch is currently investigating this case.