An online investment scam has left a 42-year-old homemaker from Ahmedabad in distress after losing ₹2 lakh. The victim, Rashmi Mahajan, lives on Ambli-Bopal Road and recently filed a police complaint. The Satellite police have registered a case and are investigating the matter.
On May 5, 2025, Rashmi saw an investment advertisement on Facebook. She contacted the number provided and was soon chatting on WhatsApp. A woman named Aaradhya Mishra told Rashmi her investment application was approved. On May 7, she joined a WhatsApp group called SCPLC FINANCE FORUM 188 and downloaded an app named SC-ELITE, which was not available on the Play Store.
Following the app’s instructions, Rashmi made her first payment of ₹50,000 on May 7, followed by another ₹50,000 on May 8. She transferred these amounts to two different bank accounts. The app displayed a profit of ₹25,993, which she withdrew to her ICICI Bank account on May 20. Encouraged by this, she invested another ₹2 lakh on May 21 via Google Pay to an IDFC First Bank account.
However, the next day brought a surprise. Rashmi was told she needed to invest ₹2.5 lakh more to qualify for an IPO allotment. This raised her suspicions, and she refused to invest any further. Realising she had likely been scammed, Rashmi acted quickly. She called the 1930 cybercrime helpline and later filed a formal complaint with the police.
The scammers had used WhatsApp, a fake investment app, and multiple bank accounts to lure Rashmi with false promises of high returns. The police have now registered an FIR under relevant IPC sections for cheating and criminal breach of trust. The Satellite police are actively investigating the case to catch the culprits.
Rashmi’s story serves as a warning to others. Online scams are becoming more sophisticated, and it is essential to stay alert. Always verify the credibility of investment opportunities, especially those that seem too good to be true. Be cautious when dealing with unknown individuals online and never share personal or financial information without proper verification. Authorities encourage anyone who suspects they are a victim of such scams to report to the cybercrime helpline immediately. It is crucial to act quickly to prevent further loss and assist in the investigation of these fraudulent activities.
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