The Noida police are probing three new cases where residents lost nearly 25 lakh rupees to fake investment groups on WhatsApp and Telegram, highlighting a persistent rise in digital financial scams across the region.
Noida police have opened investigations into three more cyber fraud cases in which residents lost a combined 24.94 lakh rupees after being drawn into WhatsApp and Telegram investment groups promising quick gains from share trading and market tips.
According to the complaint filed by Nitish Srivastav, a Sector 26 resident, the scam began in August 2025 with a Telegram message that led him into a group touting fast returns. Believing the pitch, he sent money nearly 20 times across two bank accounts, transferring a total of 8,64,410 rupees. He later found he could neither recover his principal nor withdraw the supposed profits shown to him.
In a separate case, Ashish Kumar, 30, of Sector 12, said he was approached on WhatsApp in January 2026 and then moved into a stock-market group. He was directed to download an app called IBIN Max, where his balance appeared to rise alongside his profits. Convinced the investment was genuine, he transferred 8,85,000 rupees between January 21 and February 2, only to discover the fraud when he tried to take the money out.
The third victim, Harshit, 35, a resident of Mahagun Mywoods in Gaur City-2, was added to a WhatsApp group in September 2025 and then shifted to Telegram. There, scammers promoted trading returns and sent him a website link. He was first asked to put in 5,000 rupees, after which fake profits were displayed online. Harshit went on to send 7,44,920 rupees to multiple accounts before being told his withdrawal had failed because of incorrect bank details. He then complained on the cyber portal.
The cases fit a pattern that police and federal agencies have repeatedly warned about: criminals build trust with small initial gains, then pressure victims into larger transfers through fake platforms, group chats and fabricated account dashboards. The Ministry of Home Affairs has also cautioned that WhatsApp and Telegram are increasingly being used for such frauds, often with promises of exclusive stock tips and guaranteed returns.
Disclaimer: This article is intended to inform and educate, not to recommend or endorse any financial product, investment or strategy. Please consider your own financial circumstances and seek professional advice where appropriate before making financial decisions.
