Mumbai: A senior citizen from Bandra lost Rs 7.8 crore to an investment scam where she was conned into downloading a malicious app. The 62-year-old complainant realised she was being conned when she was unable to withdraw her investment. A case was registered by the West Region Cyber Police.The complainant lives with her husband. In June, she received a WhatsApp text from one Priya Sharma about investing in the share market. Sharma claimed to be the assistant of the Chief Investment Officer of a well-known wealth management firm. She also sent a link to the senior citizen for joining an investment group on WhatsApp.The complainant clicked on the link and joined the group, which had 71 members. Tips on trading were exchanged in the group. Sharma gave the senior citizen information on the wealth management firm. The senior citizen was put in touch with another executive named Suman Gupta. Gupta sent her a link to a trading app. The senior citizen downloaded the app without realising it was malicious. She uploaded her PAN card copy to it and started making investments.She claims that she verified tips received on the WhatsApp group before making investments. In two months, she invested Rs 7.8 crore. However, the app started showing a loss. She then decided to withdraw her money but was asked to pay a 10% penalty. Taken aback, she started to research the firm and found out that she was duped. She then approached the Cyber Police. Mumbai: A senior citizen from Bandra lost Rs 7.8 crore to an investment scam where she was conned into downloading a malicious app. The 62-year-old complainant realised she was being conned when she was unable to withdraw her investment. A case was registered by the West Region Cyber Police.The complainant lives with her husband. In June, she received a WhatsApp text from one Priya Sharma about investing in the share market. Sharma claimed to be the assistant of the Chief Investment Officer of a well-known wealth management firm. She also sent a link to the senior citizen for joining an investment group on WhatsApp.The complainant clicked on the link and joined the group, which had 71 members. Tips on trading were exchanged in the group. Sharma gave the senior citizen information on the wealth management firm. The senior citizen was put in touch with another executive named Suman Gupta. Gupta sent her a link to a trading app. The senior citizen downloaded the app without realising it was malicious. She uploaded her PAN card copy to it and started making investments.She claims that she verified tips received on the WhatsApp group before making investments. In two months, she invested Rs 7.8 crore. However, the app started showing a loss. She then decided to withdraw her money but was asked to pay a 10% penalty. Taken aback, she started to research the firm and found out that she was duped. She then approached the Cyber Police.
