Kalyan Resident Scammed of ₹51.56 Lakh After Clicking on Fraudulent Facebook Ad

Mumbai: A 42-year-old woman from Kalyan has been duped of ₹51.56 lakh in a stock market investment scam after clicking on a Facebook advertisement that led her to a fraudulent investment scheme.

The incident, which took place between December 2023 and February 2024, began when the woman clicked on an ad she saw on Facebook. She was directed to a WhatsApp number, allegedly belonging to a stock market analyst. The scammers added her to a WhatsApp group where they offered tips on stock market investments and convinced her to download a fake trading app.

Believing that she was making profitable investments, the woman transferred large sums of money into multiple accounts from December 31 to February 13. The scammers continuously assured her that she was earning significant profits, fueling her belief in the scheme.

However, when she attempted to withdraw her funds on February 14, her requests were denied. The scammers then demanded additional money as "advance tax" before allowing her to access her funds. Realizing that she had been scammed, the woman immediately informed her family and reported the incident to the Thane police.

A case has been registered under Section 66D of the Information Technology (IT) Act, which deals with online fraud and cheating. The police have initiated an investigation into the fraudulent scheme, focusing on the mobile numbers, WhatsApp group, and transaction details provided by the victim. Authorities are actively working to trace the scammers behind the operation.

This incident highlights the increasing number of online frauds targeting unsuspecting individuals through social media platforms. Authorities have urged the public to be cautious when encountering investment schemes advertised on social media and to verify the legitimacy of such offers before transferring any funds.