A Delhi-based doctor was cheated of Rs 22.7 lakh in a sophisticated online stock market scam that promised high returns but turned out to be an elaborate cyber fraud.
The victim filed an online complaint on November 13 after being duped through a fraudulent investment scheme. She was added to a social media group where several administrators claimed to be expert stock traders and promoted investments in Demat shares.
One group administrator, identifying herself as Yalini Guna, persuaded the doctor to invest via a fake trading app shared through a link. Initially, she invested Rs 2.7 lakh in multiple transactions. When she tried to withdraw the money, she was coaxed into investing further, ultimately depositing Rs 22.7 lakh. She realized she had been defrauded after being blocked from the app.
Police traced the money to Sameer (22) from Hisar, Haryana, and further investigation revealed his accomplice, Dev Singh (22). During raids on November 10, authorities arrested both suspects.
According to DCP (Shahdara) Prashant Gautam, Sameer admitted to opening multiple bank accounts and providing them to Dev Singh for Rs 4,000 per account. These accounts were used to route and launder the fraudulently obtained funds. Police also seized 2 mobile phones and 3 SIM cards during the arrests.
The accused targeted victims on social media, posing as financial experts. Small profits were initially shown to build trust, after which victims were encouraged to invest larger sums. Once the funds were extracted, the victims were blocked, and the fraudsters disappeared. Both Sameer and Dev Singh have been sent to judicial custody.
