A 46-year-old Income Tax department officer has fallen victim to an online investment scam, losing ₹91.67 lakh to unidentified cyber fraudsters. The case was officially registered on Monday under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act. Cyber police are currently investigating the incident.
According to the police, the officer discovered social media posts featuring videos of investment expert and chartered accountant Rachana Ranade. Interested in the investments mentioned, she clicked on a link in the post and shared her contact details. She was then added to a WhatsApp group where alleged investment tips were being circulated.
Encouraged by the high profits being claimed in the group, officer contacted the group admin for further information. The fraudsters then sent her a link to download a mobile app that had a name similar to a well-known multinational bank. She initially invested a small sum and quickly saw a 15 percent profit credited to her bank account.
“The fraudsters also sent officer fake acknowledgement letters appearing to be from the multinational bank and SEBI to gain her trust,” a cyber police officer said.
Between May 15 and June 3, she transferred ₹57.67 lakh to various accounts as instructed by the fraudsters. The app showed her account had grown to ₹4 crore.
However, on June 3, when she tried to withdraw the money, she was asked to pay ₹34 lakh as a service charge. Believing the request to be genuine, she made the payment. She was then asked to pay another ₹40 lakh as a security deposit. At this point, she realised it was a scam.
The police have filed charges under sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 336 (forgery), 338 (forgery of valuable securities and documents), and 340 (fraudulent use of forged documents) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, along with relevant sections of the IT Act.
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