Mumbai Cyber Police Bust Share Trading Scam: Woman Loses ₹27.44 Lakh
Mumbai, July 28, 2025 — A 58-year-old woman from Dahisar fell victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud involving a fake share trading scheme, losing over ₹27 lakh to fraudsters posing as market experts on WhatsApp. The Mumbai North Cyber Police have arrested Vinayak Pramodkumar Barnwal (28), a resident of Kasheli, Thane, whose bank account was linked to over 100 similar frauds across India.
The scam began when the victim was added to a WhatsApp group named “TBVIP168”, where she received daily “share market tips” from someone claiming to be Shivani. She was then directed to install a fake trading app that showed artificial profits to gain her trust.
Blinded by the illusion of success, she transferred ₹27.44 lakh into various accounts over multiple transactions. The moment she tried to withdraw her funds, her account access was blocked. She immediately approached the Cyber Cell.
CyberSathhi.com urges all investors to stay vigilant and avoid investing in platforms or groups that are not registered with SEBI or official exchanges. This case is a wake-up call for digital caution in the financial world.
CyberSathhi’s Safety Shield: What You MUST Know
DOs (Stay Safe with CyberSathhi):
- Use only SEBI-approved and official stock trading apps.
- Cross-verify WhatsApp or Telegram investment groups before joining.
- Check domain names and app publishers thoroughly.
- Save all proof of transactions and chat messages for future reporting.
- Report suspicious activity immediately at cybersathhi.com and local police.
DON’Ts (Avoid These Traps):
- Don’t install apps from unknown links or shared APK files.
- Don’t believe screenshots of profits — they’re often fabricated.
- Don’t invest without video KYC or background checks.
- Don’t transfer money to individual accounts for IPOs or bulk deals.
- Don’t delay reporting if something feels off.
Why This Scam Worked
- Fake profit dashboards mimicked real investment platforms.
- WhatsApp group created a false sense of community & urgency.
- Lack of digital literacy in identifying verified apps.
- Exploited FOMO (fear of missing out) on IPO opportunities.
From CyberSathhi.com:
This incident reminds us that “If it feels too good to be true, it probably is.”
Report all such incidents on our platform at CyberSathhi.com and get real-time assistance in protecting your finances and digital identity.
What CyberSathhi Recommends:
Before You Invest:
Search on CyberSathhi.com if a number, group, or app has been flagged by other users.
Verify any investment advice or trading group via official sources like SEBI or NSE/BSE websites.
Cross-check apps on Google Play Store/App Store — avoid installing APKs or links from unknown contacts.
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