Two recent instances of financial theft in Maharashtra bring to light the rising worries over investment programs and cryptocurrency frauds. In the first instance, a Thane-based doctor, 42, lost more than Rs 30 lakh to a bitcoin scam. Between August 2 and August 6, a caller fooled the woman, who lived in Khoni, Dombivli. The caller’s statement stated that illicit goods such SIM cards, passports, and cocaine were found in a package she purportedly delivered to Thailand on July 24. This whole thing was made up to incite panic and a sense of urgency.
The doctor was then convinced to download a smartphone app and make a cryptocurrency investment by the caller. She followed the scammer’s instructions and deposited Rs 30,86,535 to multiple bank accounts, believing his fraudulent claims. Without first confirming the veracity of the allegations or the investment opportunity, the manipulation entailed utilizing the threat of legal trouble to persuade the victim to move swiftly. The authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the matter in an effort to identify the culprits and retrieve the misplaced money.
Six people have been charged in Thane for cheating about 50 investors out of more than Rs 10 crore in a different but equally concerning case. The time frame for this hoax was October 2016–March 2024. The defendants, which included a number of businesses, offered investors significant rates of return, between 14 and 18 percent. They initially paid returns on their promises, which fostered confidence and attracted additional investment. They did, however, eventually cease paying, which resulted in a large loss for the investors.
A farmer from Mangaon in the nearby Raigad district is one prominent victim of this scam, having lost Rs 51.8 lakh. The farmer and other investors submitted complaints, and the case was then filed with the Dombivli police station. The Maharashtra Protection of Interest of Depositors (In Financial Establishments) Act and various parts of the Indian Penal Code, which work to shield people from financial fraud, are the reasons behind the filing of the First Information Report.
These incidents highlight a concerning pattern in financial fraud: con artists take advantage of victims’ confidence and coerce them into making substantial financial commitments. The events highlight the need for more caution and skepticism, particularly when it comes to unsolicited investment offers and pressing financial needs. Authorities are striving to resolve these scams and stop similar fraudulent practices in the future while their investigations are ongoing.
SOURCE :
MID-DAY
