Crypto trading fraud: PGI doctor among 2 duped of Rs. 1.20L

Chandigarh, April 11

Two city residents, including a PGI doctor, have fallen prey to online fraud and lost a total of Rs 1.20 lakh.

The 28-year-old PGI doctor reported she had received several messages on her Instagram account related to trading. Initially, the complainant ignored the messages, but later on had a chat with the suspect over investment.

The suspect claimed they ran a cryptocurrency trading platform and offered to double the investment within an hour. The victim got lured and transferred Rs 20,000 to an account provided by the suspect.

The suspect further asked the victim to pay an additional Rs 30,000 as withdrawals could not be made below Rs 1 lakh. Another Rs 800 were demanded as app charges. The victim transferred the amount, but later found out she had been duped of Rs 50,800. A case has been registered at the Cyber Crime police station.

Also, Arvinder Singh Atwal, a resident of Sector 8, reported he received a WhatsApp call from a person claiming to be from the Punjab Police. The number bore the Punjab Police logo as display picture.

The suspect claimed the complainant’s son had been caught with a dreaded criminal and that he would have to pay for his release. The complainant, whose son studies in Sonepat, got scared and transferred Rs 40,000 and Rs 30,000 to two Google Pay accounts. Later when the complainant called up his son, he realised he had been duped. The police have registered a case.