Panvel: In a disturbing case of cyber fraud, a 58-year-old doctor from Kamothe, Panvel, was allegedly cheated of Rs 20.95 lakh by an online scam syndicate that lured him with promises of extraordinarily high returns from stock market investments. The Kamothe police have registered a case against unknown cyber criminals and launched a detailed investigation into the fraud.

According to the complaint, the scam began when the doctor was added to a WhatsApp group operated by the fraudsters. Members of the group regularly shared convincing messages, investment tips, and success stories related to stock trading to build credibility and gain the trust of participants. The accused later shared a link to a fake trading application, claiming it was a legitimate investment platform.

Believing the app to be genuine, the doctor opened a demat trading account through the provided link. The scammers assured him of returns ranging from 5 per cent to as high as 500 per cent. Encouraged by these claims, the victim transferred a total amount of Rs.20.95 lakh in several instalments between November 19, 2025, and January 19, 2026.

The fraud came to light when the doctor tried to withdraw his invested amount along with the purported profits. The application began showing repeated “technical errors,” after which the fraudsters contacted him and demanded an additional Rs.25 lakh as a deposit. They also threatened that his existing investment would be donated to charity if he failed to pay the demanded sum. Realising that he had fallen victim to a scam, the doctor immediately approached the police.

Based on his complaint, Kamothe police registered a case under Sections 318(4), 316(2), and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. Police are currently tracing digital evidence and bank accounts linked to the crime.

Police Advisory for Citizens (Safety Tips)

• Avoid clicking on unknown links or downloading unverified trading applications.
• Do not trust WhatsApp or social media groups promising quick or unusually high returns.
• Always verify investment platforms and financial advisors with SEBI or other authorised regulators before investing.