Residents lose ₹63 lakh in three financial fraud cases

Pune: Three separate financial fraud cases were registered across the city on Wednesday, involving ₹63

Pune: Three separate financial fraud cases were registered across the city on Wednesday, involving ₹63.30 lakh in losses, with fraudsters allegedly using a fake stock trading application, a bogus government job offer, and forged documents to siphon off money.

The biggest of the three cases was reported at Nanded City police station, where a 51-year-old Dhayari resident allegedly lost ₹32.30 lakh after being lured into an online stock trading scheme.

According to the FIR, the victim came across an investment advertisement on social media and was added to a group on a messaging app. He also downloaded a trading app.

The victim was allegedly instructed to transfer money to seven different bank accounts between July 9 and August 7. The application showed his investments generating profits and displayed a portfolio value of around ₹1.06 crore, according to the police.

However, when the victim attempted to withdraw the money, the operators allegedly demanded a service fee equivalent to 20% of the amount and subsequently blocked his withdrawal requests. He then approached the police, following which a case was registered.

In another case, Parvati police registered an offence after a person was allegedly cheated of ₹15 lakh on the promise of securing a job with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC).

According to the complaint, the accused allegedly posed as a PMC sports officer and issued fake appointment letters to convince the victim that he had secured a civic job. The victim was allegedly asked to make payments in connection with the purported appointment. After realising that the documents and job offer were fraudulent, the victim approached the police.

A third case, registered at Sahakarnagar police station, involves an alleged fraud of ₹16 lakh in connection with a cooperative credit society loan. According to the police, the accused allegedly submitted forged vehicle invoices and used fictitious or fraudulent bank accounts to obtain funds from the society.

Vivek Masal, DCP (Economic Offences Wing and Cyber Crime), said, “All three cases were registered on August 12 and are being investigated. We are examining the financial transactions, bank accounts and other digital evidence to trace the accused and establish the money trail.”