Retired Officer Loses ₹82 Lakh in Online Scam Promising 1200% Profit

A retired government officer from Hamirpur fell victim to an elaborate online investment scam, losing ₹82 lakh, his life’s savings, in just eight transactions. The officer was lured by the promise of an extraordinary 1200% profit, a tactic often used by fraudsters. The case has been registered with the Cyber Police Station in Mandi.

According to the complaint, the victim came across a Facebook link that directed him to a WhatsApp group with around 150 members. Within the group, fraudsters introduced him to an app called “Stock Jio,” claiming it could generate massive returns through investments in stocks and IPOs. Trusting their claims, the officer transferred ₹82 lakh to various bank accounts provided by the scammers.

When he attempted to withdraw his so-called earnings, the fraudsters evaded his requests, raising his suspicions. Realizing he had been duped, he approached the Cyber Police, who quickly intervened and managed to freeze ₹16 lakh of the transferred funds in various accounts. The remaining recovery is now being pursued through legal channels.

This alarming case is not isolated. Cyber police in Himachal Pradesh have reported over a dozen similar incidents in recent months, even as authorities continue to run awareness campaigns about such fraudulent schemes. Surprisingly, many educated individuals, including retired professionals, are still falling prey to these cons.

The police have reiterated their warning to the public: avoid clicking on unverified links and thoroughly investigate the legitimacy of any investment opportunity before transferring funds. While investigations in this case are ongoing, no arrests have been made yet.

This incident underscores the growing need for cyber vigilance to safeguard personal finances. As online scams become increasingly sophisticated, staying alert and informed is critical in preventing financial losses.