A 57-year-old woman lost Rs 1.32 crore after falling victim to an online trading scam that started with a simple WhatsApp message.
It all started when the complainant was looking for tips on trading online, and a few hours later, she received a message containing a link to an online trading platform.
The woman was assured of easy profits and quick returns.
In today’s digital age, online scams are becoming more sophisticated, often targeting unsuspecting individuals. A recent case in Thiruvananthapuram highlights the dangers of trusting messages from unknown sources. A 57-year-old woman from Sreekaryam lost Rs 1.32 crore after falling victim to an online trading scam that started with a simple WhatsApp message.
SurveyIt all started when the complainant was looking for tips on trading online, and a few hours later, she received a message containing a link to an online trading platform.
She believed the message was legitimate, and soon, a conversation with a scammer led her to download a mobile application designed for trading. The woman was assured of easy profits and quick returns.
Also read: Retired bank manager loses Rs 2.22cr in insurance policy scam: Here’s what happened
Initially, she invested a small sum, and to her surprise, the platform showed a positive result, with her investment doubling. Encouraged by this, she decided to invest more. As her investments grew, the platform continued to show increased profits, and she even managed to withdraw a small amount, which made her believe the platform was genuine.
However, things took a turn when she was unable to withdraw the money she had accumulated. The fraudsters told her that she needed to invest even more money to avoid having her previous funds blocked, reports TOI. Trusting their words, the woman continued to invest larger sums. It wasn’t until much later that she realized she had been scammed.
Also read: Man loses Rs 23.4 lakh in online stock market scam: Tips to avoid such frauds
How to avoid such scams
- Be cautious with unsolicited messages: Avoid clicking on links sent via WhatsApp or other messaging platforms from unknown sources.
- Verify the platform: Always check the legitimacy of any online trading platform before investing money. Look for reviews and ratings from trusted sources.
- Don’t trust promises of easy money: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often promise high returns with little effort.
- Use secure payment methods: Always use secure, traceable payment methods for any online transaction.
- Report suspicious activity: If you suspect that you’ve been targeted by scammers, report it to the authorities immediately.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
