Vashi Resident Defrauded Of Rs 1.5 Crore In Fake Online Share Trading Scam
A 61-year-old resident of Sector 30A in Vashi, Navi Mumbai, was defrauded of nearly ₹1.5 crore in a fake online stock trading scam between April 2 and June 4. The Navi Mumbai Cyber Police have registered a case against cyber fraudsters who lured the victim with promises of high investment returns.
According to the police, the complainant was added to a WhatsApp group named "Laxmi Capital 20191 VIP Group." The administrators of this group projected themselves as stock market experts and encouraged members to invest in various high-yield trading schemes.
The victim was subsequently contacted by individuals identifying themselves as Manisha Shaha and Sumit Sharma, along with other unidentified associates. The accused persuaded him to invest through a specific website, claiming that the platform offered substantial financial returns within a short period.
Over the course of two months, the victim transferred a total of nearly ₹1.5 crore to multiple bank accounts. These accounts were provided by the accused under the name of Lakshmi Capital Investments.
The fraud came to light when the promised returns failed to materialise and the victim was unable to withdraw his funds. Realising he had been cheated, the resident approached the Navi Mumbai Cyber Police to report the crime.
An First Information Report (FIR) was registered on June 26. The police booked the accused under sections 318(4) for cheating, 319(2) for cheating by personation, and 3(5) for common intention of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Additionally, charges were filed under Section 66(D) for cheating by personation using a computer resource of the Information Technology Act.
Senior Police Inspector Vishal Patil of the Navi Mumbai Cyber Police urged citizens to verify the credentials of investment firms and remain cautious of WhatsApp groups, social media advertisements, and websites promising guaranteed or exceptionally high returns.
