Cryptocurrency scams have become increasingly prevalent in India, resulting in significant financial losses for numerous internet users. Over the past few months, victims have reported being approached by scammers through popular social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, where enticing investment opportunities were presented to them. However, once these individuals invested a substantial amount of money, they were not only denied any profits but also lost their entire investment. One such case involved a Delhi-based techie who lost a staggering amount of Rs 12 lakh while engaging in cryptocurrency investments.
In a recent incident highlighted by ANI, the victim, Ankit Chaudhary, was an engineer employed by a reputable company. Chaudhary received a message on Telegram from an unknown individual who offered him an enticing opportunity to invest in cryptocurrency. Believing it to be a legitimate chance to increase his earnings and expand his investment portfolio, Chaudhary agreed to invest and subsequently joined a Telegram group. Initially, he was asked to invest Rs 10,000, and in return, he received Rs 15,000. This initial success boosted his confidence and motivated him to consider further investments. Consequently, he ended up investing a much larger sum of Rs 12 lakh.
However, as soon as Chaudhary invested this significant amount, he was denied any returns, and the scammers ceased all communication with him. “I received a message on a Telegram channel asking me to invest in cryptocurrency. Initially, I invested 10 thousand, and after some time, I received 15 thousand in return,” Chaudhary shared with the news agency. “Subsequently, I invested 15 thousand, and similarly, I received 20 thousand. Due to this, I became greedy and invested about Rs 12 lakh in different transactions, but I did not get my money back.”
Upon discovering that he had fallen victim to a scam, the individual proceeded to lodge a First Information Report (FIR), resulting in the registration of a case under Section 420 at the Cyber Police station located in the North East District. Currently, an ongoing investigation is underway, and authorities have issued a cautionary advisory urging individuals to exercise caution while engaging online and to refrain from succumbing to seemingly lucrative yet dubious opportunities.
The cybercrime division has issued a cautionary statement regarding the widespread online scams and has urged individuals to exercise caution when trusting information found on the internet. Presented below are a few safety measures to help you avoid falling victim to such scams.
How to stay safe:-
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- Exercise skepticism when encountering investment opportunities that promise guaranteed returns.
- If an offer appears too good to be true, it is likely deceptive. Prior to investing in any cryptocurrency, conduct thorough research.
- Ensure that you comprehend the associated risks and verify the legitimacy of the company in question.
- Avoid sharing personal information, such as your bank account number, credit card number, and social security number, with individuals whom you do not know or trust.
- Exercise caution when clicking on links or opening attachments in emails or text messages. Scammers frequently employ these methods to deceive individuals into downloading malware or divulging personal information.