Thane Engineer Loses ₹3 Crore in Online Trading Scam: A Cautionary Tale of Cyber Fraud

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Online Trading Scam: Engineer Loses ₹3.15 Crore

A 46-year-old mechanical engineer from Thane, Maharashtra, has fallen prey to an online trading scam, losing ₹3.15 crore. The victim was lured into investing in a fraudulent online trading platform with promises of high returns.

The Scam

The engineer was initially shown a fake profit of USD 5 lakh on the platform, which encouraged him to invest more funds. Between December 12, 2025, and February 11, 2026, he transferred a total of ₹3,15,67,954. However, when he attempted to withdraw his original investments or the purported profits, his account was blocked, and communications with the operators ceased.

Growing Trend of Online Trading Scams

This incident is part of a growing trend of online trading and investment scams that have eroded investor confidence in digital finance platforms. Cybercriminals use persuasive tactics, such as fabricated profits, realistic-looking interfaces, and unusually high returns, to deceive victims into transferring money into controlled accounts.

These schemes are often promoted through cold calls, messages, social media, and fake advisor profiles, creating a sense of urgency and legitimacy.

Investigation and Prevention

The Thane Cyber Police are analyzing digital footprints, transaction histories, and communication logs to track the fraud operators and identify the financial routes used to launder the scam proceeds. The police are also coordinating with banking institutions to track suspicious account movements linked to the case.

The police have urged the public to exercise caution before making online investments, especially in platforms that are not regulated or lack transparency. Victims are encouraged to file complaints promptly with cybercrime stations or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal and to preserve all transaction records, chat histories, and investment documents to assist in investigations.

Importance of Vigilance

The incident highlights the need for investors to be vigilant and cautious when dealing with online trading platforms. It also underscores the importance of reporting suspicious activities and preserving evidence to aid in investigations and bring perpetrators to justice.