SEBI Fake App Scam Targets Chandigarh Investor, Fake Profits Lead to Lost Savings
The cyber cell of UT police has filed a case against unidentified individuals accused of defrauding a Sector 22, Chandigarh resident of 10 lakh rupees through an online investment scam.
Cyber Cell Case Against Fraudsters
Investigators are tracing financial transactions to identify the perpetrators, though no arrests have been made to date.
Victim’s Initial Contact with Fraud Group
The victim was initially added to a group called StanChart Sec Zone 13 on December 14, 2025. Members of the group, posing as stock market experts, IPO specialists, and institutional investment advisors, shared fabricated screenshots of profits and false success stories to establish credibility and attract participants.
Fabricated Authority and Fake SEBI Entity
A group administrator, identified as Yalini Guha, claimed to be an assistant to Professor Gaurav Dua, who allegedly owned a SEBI-registered entity. This fabricated authority was used to manipulate the victim into trusting the group’s legitimacy.
Fraudulent Trading Application and Fund Transfers
The victim was directed to download a trading application, which was later identified as a counterfeit platform. She was instructed to transfer funds under the pretense of processing fees, allotment charges, and investment phases. Between January 7, 2026, and February 2026, she transferred a total of 10 lakh rupees from her savings account to multiple accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Threats and Reporting to Cyber Police
When the victim requested information about her investment and sought a refund, the group administrators ceased communication. She was then threatened with the claim that her funds had been frozen, requiring an additional 40 lakh rupees to be deposited for recovery. Following these threats, she reported the incident to the Cyber Police Station in Sector 17, providing transaction records that initiated the investigation.
About Author
English