In a distressing incident, a 58-year-old man from Beliaghata, Kolkata, was allegedly duped of Rs 20 lakh in an online investment fraud. Pradip Sarkar, the complainant, reported the incident to Kolkata police’s cyber cell, triggering a probe into the matter. Sarkar, along with his 27-year-old son, who were both cancer patients, fell prey to a group promising stock tips and recommendations on the messaging platform Telegram.
According to police sources, Sarkar’s son, aiming to finance their medical treatment and post-retirement lifestyle, regularly invested in stocks through his demat account. The unfortunate turn of events began when Sarkar attended a free online course on stock trading after encountering a Facebook link in December. Organizers added him to a WhatsApp group, where he received stock suggestions from the alleged fraudsters.
The fraudsters, operating through Telegram groups and an institutional trading platform named ‘Zoksa,’ convinced Sarkar and other victims to sell off existing insurance policies and stocks. They claimed that substantial benefits would result from investing through their suggested platform. The victims were misled into believing their investments had reached Rs 1 crore in US stocks.
The scheme took a dark turn when attempts to withdraw money proved futile. The fraudsters demanded Rs 13 lakh as tax for a supposed tax clearance certificate. Sarkar, realizing the deception, discovered that many group members were fake and part of an organized gang. Between January 16 and 28, he incurred losses amounting to Rs 20 lakh.
Sarkar filed a police complaint on February 9, prompting Kolkata police’s cyber cell to launch an investigation. Authorities emphasized the need for caution, advising against responding to messages from unknown numbers and highlighting that reputable companies would not use platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp for investments.
