IAF officer falls prey to fake trading app, duped of Rs 1 crore

An Indian Air Force (IAF) officer, posted at Suratgarh Air Base Station, fell prey to a fake trading app on social media. The fraudsters allegedly cheated him of about Rs 1 crore 12 lakh. As soon as this fraud was detected, the Wing Commander immediately lodged a complaint on the National Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP). The Cyber Police of Sriganganagar took prompt action and got about Rs 7 lakh put on hold in various bank accounts.

The fraud reportedly started when the Wing Commander joined the "Growth Club" WhatsApp group on June 10. On July 7, a link was shared in the group, claiming that this link is to download an app for IPO subscription and trading.

According to the officer, from June 10 to August 8, he transferred a total of Rs 1.12 crore from SBI Bank branch to some given accounts in Yes Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Bandhan Bank, IDFC and Bank of Baroda.

When the Wing Commander tried to withdraw his money from the app on August 13, he received a notification from the alleged customer care number that he would have to deposit Rs 42 lakh 96 thousand 603 first as short term capital gain, only then would he be allowed to withdraw the money. This additional demand made him suspect fraud.

On the same day, he came to know through an email that many fake digital identities have been created in separate names. He immediately informed the SBI branch manager in Suratgarh and emailed to cancel the RTGS transaction. On August 13, he lodged a complaint with the Sriganganagar Cyber Cell and also reported it on the NCRP portal on August 14.

Deputy Superintendent of Police Kuldeep Walia said that on receiving the complaint, the cyber police immediately started the investigation. After tracking various bank accounts, Rs 7 lakh has been put on hold. Information related to some other accounts has been sought from the banks. The police hope that more money can be saved based on getting information.

The DSP said that even before this, cases of cyber frauds of crores of rupees have come to light, the victims include retired bank officials, doctors, lawyers and military personnel but people were not alert.