Pune: Russian Accused Among 2 Arrested For Duping Computer Engineer Of Rs 71 Lakh Through Instagram, WhatsApp Stock Market Scam

Pimpri-Chinchwad, 16th December 2024: In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a computer engineer from Pimpri-Chinchwad was cheated of ₹71 lakh after clicking on an Instagram advertisement. The scam involved luring victims through fake stock market investment groups and promises of high returns. Pimpri Chinchwad Cyber police have arrested a Russian national, Tony alias Anatoliy Miranov, from Goa in connection with the case, while another accused, Shreyas Sanjay Mane, is already in custody.

The incident came to light when the victim, a resident of Wakad, was watching Instagram reels and came across an advertisement related to stock market investments. Without suspecting anything, he clicked on the ad, which led to him being added to a WhatsApp group focused on stock market investments.

According to DCP (Crime) Sandeep Doifode, the group, using multiple mobile numbers, claimed to provide insider information about stock trends and IPOs. Members of the group convinced the victim to invest substantial sums of money through a fake website, promising lucrative returns. Over time, the complainant transferred a total of ₹71 lakh to the fraudulent scheme.

Realizing he had been scammed, the complainant reported the incident to the Pimpri-Chinchwad cyber police. The Cyber Police team initiated an investigation, which revealed that the bank accounts used for the transactions were linked to Goa.

Acting on the findings, the cyber police traveled to Goa and, with the assistance of the local police, arrested a Russian national, Tony. Earlier, another accused, Shreyas Sanjay Mane, had been apprehended.

According to the investigation, Shreyas had allegedly collected bank accounts and mobile SIM cards from his acquaintances under the pretence of gaming activities. He then traveled to Goa, where he collaborated with Tony to execute cyber frauds.

The police suspect that a significant portion of the defrauded amount has been diverted to Dubai and other international locations. Investigations have also revealed the involvement of a third individual, Mark, in the cybercrime ring. While Mark remains at large, efforts are underway to apprehend him.

The cyber police have indicated that this case might be part of a larger cybercrime syndicate. The Russian accused Tony, was already on the radar of the Gujarat police for his involvement in similar cases. The trio of Tony, Shreyas, and Mark appears to have been operating a network targeting victims across India using similar tactics of social media ads and fake stock market groups.

The incident highlights the growing risks associated with unchecked social media usage. Platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Telegram have become tools for fraudsters to exploit unsuspecting users. Scammers often use enticing advertisements and fake investment opportunities to lure victims into their traps, police said.

Cyber police have urged citizens to exercise caution while interacting with advertisements on social media. Clicking on unverified links or sharing personal information with unknown sources can lead to severe financial losses.

Cyber Police Inspector Ravikiran Nale emphasized the need for vigilance in online activities. “Fraudsters are using sophisticated methods to exploit victims. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any investment opportunity, especially those that promise quick or high returns,” he said.

The police have also advised users to report suspicious activities or advertisements immediately to prevent others from falling victim to such scams.

The action was taken by the team under the guidance of DCP (Crime) Sandeep Doifode, ACP (Crime 1) Dr. Vishal Hire, and Cyber ​​Police Station’s Police Inspector Ravikiran Nale. The team included API Pravin Swami, PSI Sagar Poman, Prakash Katkade, police personnel Hemant Kharat, Deepak Bhosale, Atul Lokhande, Shrikant Kabule, Saurabh Ghate, Deepak Mane, Parashuram Chavan, Suraj Jadhav, Suranjan Chavan, Aniket Temgire, Mahesh Motkar, Sachin Ghadge, Nilesh Deshmukh, Dipali Chavan, Monika Vittewar, Smita Patil and Dipali Tope.