A 71-year-old retired man from Surat has allegedly lost ₹1.10 crore after cyber fraudsters approached him through a Facebook investment advertisement and later moved the conversation to WhatsApp. The accused allegedly used a fake investment application to create the appearance of genuine transactions and returns.
According to the complaint, the alleged fraud took place between October 30 and December 12, 2025. The victim was allegedly persuaded to make multiple transfers into different bank accounts after being told the payments were connected with investment-related transactions.
How the Alleged Investment Fraud Began
The victim reportedly came across an investment advertisement on Facebook before being contacted through WhatsApp and other mobile numbers. The people behind the scheme allegedly presented the opportunity as an investment that could generate attractive returns.
He was subsequently directed to use an application to make investments and monitor the transactions. The application allegedly displayed information that made the activity appear legitimate.
According to the FIR, the victim eventually made 17 transactions totalling ₹1.10 crore. The money was transferred to accounts maintained with Bank of Maharashtra, Axis Bank, Bank of Baroda, IDFC First Bank, Punjab National Bank and IndusInd Bank.
Small Withdrawal Allegedly Used to Build Trust
One of the important details in the complaint is that the fraudsters allegedly allowed the victim to withdraw ₹5,000 at the beginning.
Such an initial withdrawal can make an investment platform appear genuine to a potential victim, particularly when the application also displays supposed investment activity or profits. In this case, the victim subsequently transferred substantially larger amounts.
The complaint records several major transactions, including ₹20 lakh on November 18, ₹7.60 lakh and ₹3.70 lakh on November 24, and an alleged ₹45 lakh transfer on December 4. The ₹45 lakh payment was reportedly the largest single transaction in the case.
Money Trail Becomes Key Part of Police Probe
After transferring the money, the victim allegedly realised that the investment arrangement was not genuine and approached the authorities. Surat cybercrime police registered an FIR on September 27.
Investigators are examining the bank accounts that received the money, the mobile numbers used to contact the victim and the digital evidence associated with the investment application.
Tracing the movement of funds across multiple accounts will be an important part of the Financial Investigation into the alleged fraud. Investigators will need to establish where the money went after the initial transfers and identify the people allegedly connected with those accounts.
The case currently remains under investigation, and the identities and specific roles of the suspected fraudsters have not been established in court.
Fake Investment Platforms Remain a Cyber-Fraud Risk
The case reflects a pattern in which online advertisements are used as the first point of contact before conversations are shifted to messaging platforms and victims are encouraged to use a particular investment application.
The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre has previously warned about fraudulent investment advertisements on social media that use false claims of high returns and, in some cases, manipulated or AI-generated promotional material to appear credible.
The Surat case also highlights why an initial successful withdrawal or displayed profit should not by itself be treated as proof that an investment platform is genuine.
Police Continue to Trace the Alleged Network
Police are now examining the 17 transactions, bank records, mobile numbers and digital evidence connected with the alleged scheme. The investigation will focus on tracing the subsequent movement of the ₹1.10 crore and determining how the different accounts and individuals were connected.
The allegations remain under investigation, and further action will depend on the evidence gathered by investigators.