A 64-year-old man from Sector-71, Mohali, was recently scammed out of ₹1.5 crore after falling for a fraudulent investment scheme. He received a pop-up message on his Facebook account promising to double his money.
The scam started small. The victim was initially asked to invest just ₹10. After seeing that amount “double” on a fake ID, he was convinced to invest more. He ended up transferring ₹71.34 lakh and another ₹34.35 lakh in a series of transactions. The scammers used fake companies, forged SEBI certificates, and even created fake IDs and groups to trap him.
The fraud was carried out by luring him into a WhatsApp group through a malicious link. The scammers kept creating new fake IDs and investment portfolios, showing double the returns, but would then delete the IDs without returning a single rupee.
The victim, Rajandeep Singh Tiwana, has filed a complaint with the cybercrime police, who have registered a case against two unknown individuals. The police have confirmed that the scam was executed by a professional gang and are investigating the matter.
How to Protect Yourself:
- Never trust unsolicited messages or pop-ups promising unrealistic returns, such as doubling your money in a short time.
- Be skeptical of links that ask you to join private WhatsApp groups or download apps for “investment.”
- Always verify the legitimacy of any company or financial scheme through official, trusted sources. Check their registration with regulatory bodies like SEBI.
- Do not transfer money to individuals or companies you have not thoroughly researched and confirmed.
- Consult a local, certified financial consultant or advisor before making any significant investments. They can provide professional and secure guidance tailored to your financial goals.
Remember: If an investment opportunity seems too good to be true, it almost always is. Protect your hard-earned money from these fraudsters. Be vigilant and stay safe online.
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