Pune has witnessed a surge in online fraud cases, where unsuspecting individuals are falling victim to scammers offering high returns on stock market investments.
The most recent cases have resulted in a total loss of ₹1.94 crore from five victims, all of whom were targeted via digital platforms.
Cyber police have recorded multiple complaints, and the modus operandi in all cases is similar: the fraudsters attract victims with promises of lucrative returns through stock market trades, IPO investments, or credit card cashback offers.
Using sophisticated schemes, these criminals manipulate victims into transferring significant sums of money to various bank accounts under false pretenses.
Case 1: ₹94 Lakh Lost to Stock Market Scam
In the largest reported case, a young man lost ₹94,82,804 after cybercriminals posed as agents from SBI Securities Stock Company.
The scammers contacted the victim, persuading him to download a fake mobile app for stock trading. To build trust, they initially deposited ₹30,000 into his bank account as a "profit." Once they had his confidence, they convinced him to invest more money.
The fraud unfolded between July and September, and by the time the victim realized the scam, he had lost over ₹94 lakh.
Case 2: ₹77 Lakh Stolen Through Stock Investment Fraud
A 43-year-old man from Vadgaon Budruk became the second major victim, losing ₹77,50,754 between May and July 2024. The fraudsters lured him by promising high returns on stock trades.
They directed him to download a fraudulent app and make multiple bank transfers. After investing nearly ₹78 lakh, the victim received neither his initial investment nor any profits.
Case 3: ₹12 Lakh Fraud in Trading Task Scam
A cybercriminal gang duped a Facebook user into investing ₹12 lakh by offering high returns through a trading task.
The victim was added to a WhatsApp group, where scammers promised significant returns in exchange for investments. However, after sending the money, the victim never received any returns, leading him to file a complaint.
Case 4: Woman Duped of ₹24 Lakh in Fake
Trading Scheme A 29-year-old woman from Lohgaon lost ₹24,35,000 after cybercriminals promised high trading profits.
They sent her an online link to download a trading app, which she used to invest money. The scammers later tricked her into transferring more money under the pretext of withdrawing her profits.
Case 5: ₹17 Lakh Lost in Credit Card Cashback Scam
A 26-year-old woman from Erandwane became a victim of a credit card cashback scam, losing ₹17,10,000. The fraudster, posing as a bank representative, offered her cashback on her credit card.
The scam took place in April 2024, and the woman filed a complaint after realizing she had been deceived.
