The woman was first contacted on WhatsApp by an unknown person who shared links related to online trading.
Over the next few days, she received more messages and was later invited to join a WhatsApp group.
The scammers gained her trust by offering free online trading classes and showing initial profits on small investments.
Online scams are becoming increasingly common, with fraudsters using clever tricks to deceive people into parting with their hard-earned money. One such case recently emerged, where a 57-year-old woman lost Rs 15.57 lakh after being lured into an online trading scam. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how to avoid falling for such scams.
The woman was first contacted on WhatsApp by an unknown person who shared links related to online trading. Over the next few days, she received more messages and was later invited to join a WhatsApp group. In the group, several members shared their supposed success stories, showcasing how they made huge profits through online trading.
The scammers gained her trust by offering free online trading classes and showing initial profits on small investments, reports TOI. Encouraged by the apparent success, the woman invested more money, hoping for bigger returns. However, after making a significant investment, she stopped receiving any returns. Eventually, she realised she had been scammed and filed a complaint with the police.
Verify the source: Be cautious if you receive investment offers from unknown people on social media or WhatsApp. Always check if the trading platform is legitimate.
Don’t trust too-good-to-be-true offers: Scammers often promise high returns with little risk. If an investment sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
Avoid WhatsApp groups promoting investments: Fraudsters use fake testimonials and scripted success stories to lure victims. Be sceptical of such groups.
Research before investing: Always do thorough research before putting money into any online trading platform. Check for reviews and complaints.
Never share personal details: Scammers may ask for sensitive information like banking details or OTPs. Never share such information with strangers.
Report suspicious activity: If you suspect a scam, report it to cyber police immediately.