Pune is witnessing a worrying rise in cyber fraud cases, with scammers targeting citizens through various online platforms. In three separate incidents, fraudsters duped victims of nearly ₹92 lakh using fake investment schemes, matrimonial traps, and bogus trading applications. Police have registered cases and begun investigations in all three matters.
In the Deccan area, a 25-year-old man was cheated of ₹21.71 lakh after being lured with promises of high returns. The accused claimed to represent a firm named 'Jadeja Brothers' and convinced the victim to invest in share trading. Over time, the fraudster built trust and persuaded him to transfer money repeatedly, eventually leading to significant losses.
In another case from Sinhagad Road, a 55-year-old woman fell victim to a matrimonial scam and lost ₹17.57 lakh. The accused contacted her through a matrimonial platform, provided false personal details, and promised marriage. He further gained her confidence by speaking about future plans, including setting up a home, car, and hospital in Pune.
Later, the fraudster asked the woman to pay a 'custom fee' under the pretext of sending a birthday gift. Trusting his claims, she transferred the amount, only to realize later that she had been cheated. Police have launched an investigation into the case.
In a third incident, a 46-year-old woman was duped of ₹52.72 lakh in a trading app scam. The accused sent her an advertisement related to IPO investments, promising high returns with low investment. She was asked to download a trading app where initial profits were shown to gain her confidence.
Encouraged by the initial returns, she invested larger amounts, eventually losing a substantial sum. Police officials have urged citizens to remain cautious while dealing with unknown investment offers, matrimonial contacts, or suspicious links, warning that such schemes are commonly used by cybercriminals to trap victims.
