Hyderabad: Scammers posing as investment experts tricked a 28-year-old man from Borabanda into transferring ₹7.6 lakh through a fake WhatsApp trading group.
They added the victim to a group named “84 Standard Chartered India Investment Group” and promised him 800% returns along with daily guaranteed profits. To make the scam look authentic, they shared forged SEBI certificates and linked him to a fake trading website: https://app.standaredchart.vip.
WhatsApp investment scam used fake SEBI papers and platform
Convinced by their claims, the man began investing gradually. By August 23, he had transferred ₹7.6 lakh. The fake platform displayed over ₹45 lakh as his account balance, giving him false confidence.
When he tried to withdraw his funds, the fraudsters demanded another ₹9 lakh and a 25% commission. Although he asked them to deduct the amount from his displayed balance, they refused. Instead, they blocked his access to the group and the trading site before disappearing completely.
Cybercrime police warn against fake trading groups
After discovering the deception, the man filed a police complaint, detailing the ₹7.6 lakh loss. Cybercrime officials urged citizens to stay away from investment offers on WhatsApp or Telegram. Moreover, they advised the public to verify all investment schemes through authorised banks or SEBI-approved channels.
