New Delhi
Cases of online scams are increasing rapidly. Cyber criminals are trapping users in new ways. Users are unable to recognize the tricks of vicious scammers and end up incurring huge losses due to the lure of fake schemes and offers. The latest case is from Tamil Nadu, where a doctor suffered a loss of Rs 76.5 lakh due to clicking on a YouTube ad. According to the report, an associate professor at the Government Medical College had clicked on a YouTube ad giving guidance on stock market and online trading.
Scammers had created fake WhatsApp group
After clicking on this advertisement, they reached a WhatsApp group. There were already many members in this WhatsApp group who, posing as investors, were talking about things related to the stock market and were also sharing screenshots of profits. The doctors were impressed by the tips being shared in this group and felt that this was a good opportunity to work with experienced people in this field.
Won trust by giving basic information about trading
According to the report, in the initial days, basic information about online trading was given to the doctor i.e. victim user in the WhatsApp group. This further increased the doctor’s confidence in this group. This WhatsApp group was being managed by a person named Diwakar Singh. Diwakar Singh used to share short and long term investment tips in the group. Gradually the doctor’s confidence in this group increased and he decided to do bigger level trading.
Investment hoax in Indian and US stocks
The scammers running the WhatsApp group asked the doctor to open a separate account on an online platform for large-scale stock trading. The group members also assured the doctor that he would get huge returns from the investment as his funds would be invested in Indian and US stocks. Scammers used to suggest stocks and IPOs to the doctor at a margin of 30%.
About 76.5 lakhs transferred within three weeks
In the greed of more profit, the doctor started transferring money through the link given by the scammers. The doctor told that he transferred about Rs 76.5 lakh to this link within three weeks in October. After a few days, the doctor tried to withdraw Rs 50 lakh from this account, but the transaction on the website declined. The surprising thing is that the website was asking for an additional charge of Rs 50 lakh to process the withdrawal. After this the doctor realized that a big fraud had happened to him.
Keep these things in mind
Police and cyber authorities have asked to beware of fake online ads promising quick returns. To avoid such scams, do not share your financial details with any unknown group. Also, do not click on unknown links received in any message or email. Always keep in mind that any ad that promises more profit in less time is fake.
