Online investment scams promising quick profits are increasingly targeting individuals across Bihar, with fraudsters using Telegram and other digital platforms to deceive investors. According to data released by the Cyber Crime and Security Unit, Telegram emerged as the most frequently used platform for investment fraud, accounting for 821 reported cases and financial losses of approximately ₹5.73 crore in a single year.
The fraud typically begins when unsuspecting users are added to unfamiliar Telegram groups without their consent. These groups promote attractive investment opportunities, expert recommendations and fabricated profit statements to gain credibility. Once victims develop confidence in the schemes, fraudsters persuade them to transfer money in multiple instalments. After collecting a substantial amount, the group administrators delete the entire channel, making it difficult for victims and investigators to trace the perpetrators.
Deleting these groups also removes previous conversations, investment advice, promotional messages and administrative announcements from members’ chat lists. In many cases, victims are unable to recall the exact group name, leaving complaints without essential digital evidence such as administrator contact details, group information and shared account links.
This loss of initial evidence creates challenges for investigators trying to identify suspicious bank accounts, trace mobile numbers and follow the movement of fraudulent funds. It also delays efforts to identify suspects and recover the money.
The figures further highlight the growing scale of investment fraud across messaging platforms. WhatsApp accounted for 484 cases, resulting in losses of ₹12.67 crore. Together, Telegram and WhatsApp were linked to 1,305 complaints involving fraudulent transactions worth more than ₹18.40 crore.
Fraudsters are also using multiple digital channels to attract potential victims. Investment advertisements and promises of high returns are circulated across social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. Interested users are subsequently redirected to Telegram or WhatsApp groups to continue the fraudulent process.
Data from the Cyber Crime and Security Unit also recorded 320 complaints involving phone calls and text messages, resulting in losses of ₹5.01 crore. Fraudulent websites and mobile application links accounted for another 209 cases, with financial losses of ₹4.88 crore.
Additionally, Facebook was linked to 44 complaints involving ₹2.32 crore, while Instagram accounted for 92 cases resulting in losses of ₹35.66 lakh.
The Cyber Crime and Security Unit has advised citizens to avoid investment recommendations shared through unauthorised messaging groups and refrain from downloading unverified applications. Investors have also been urged to verify financial companies through authorised channels before transferring money.
People who fall victim to such frauds should immediately contact the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or register a complaint through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Prompt reporting can improve the chances of freezing fraudulent transactions before the money is transferred further.
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