Fraudster Poses as Social Media Friend, Promises High Returns
Thane, April 11: A 54-year-old school teacher from Thane district has been defrauded of ₹66 lakh in a sophisticated online investment scam, police officials confirmed on Friday.
The victim, a resident of Kalyan, reported to the Kolsewadi police that he was lured into the fraudulent scheme by a woman who identified herself as Sunita Chowdhary. The two reportedly connected via social media, where she gained his trust before introducing him to an investment platform that promised unusually high returns.
Investment Spree Spanned 50 Days
According to the police, the teacher was persuaded to invest a total of ₹66 lakh over a period of approximately 50 days. The platform appeared legitimate, further bolstering the victim’s confidence in the scheme.
However, things took a turn when he attempted to withdraw the returns and reclaim his original investment. At that point, the accused, who had been in constant communication through two different mobile numbers, became unreachable.
Police Investigate Digital Trail
Authorities from the Kolsewadi police station are now tracking digital footprints, including IP addresses, mobile locations, and financial transaction trails, to trace the accused. The investigation is ongoing.
This case serves as another grim reminder of the rising threat of online scams, particularly those exploiting social engineering tactics through social media platforms.
