Retired Professor Loses Rs 2 Crore in WhatsApp Investment Scam
A retired professor, Dr. M. Batmanabane Mounissamy, has fallen victim to a sophisticated WhatsApp investment scam, losing nearly Rs 2 crore. The scammers, posing as representatives of Nuvama Funds, lured him in with promises of quick returns.
Dr. Mounissamy was initially contacted by someone claiming to be 'Kangana', a representative of Nuvama Funds. She convinced him to invest in the platform, starting with a small amount of Rs 10,000. To his delight, he saw his investment grow to Rs 13,000 within a short period. This initial success led him to invest a significant sum, approximately Rs 1.9 crore, believing the website was legitimate. The platform even showed a balance of Rs 35 crore at one point.
Cybercrime experts warn that such scams are on the rise. Scammers create convincing WhatsApp groups and fake sites to trick unsuspecting victims. In Dr. Mounissamy's case, he was added to a WhatsApp group named 'H‐10 Nuvama Health Group', which claimed to provide exclusive investment tips. However, when he attempted to withdraw Rs 5 crore, his request was blocked, and he was charged hefty 'processing fees'. It was then he realized he had been duped and approached cybercrime authorities.
Dr. Mounissamy's case serves as a stark reminder of the growing threat of investment scams conducted via WhatsApp. Cybercrime authorities urge caution when dealing with unsolicited investment offers, even if they appear legitimate. The public is advised to verify the authenticity of any such offers before investing.
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