In a distressing revelation, retired Colonel Sanjay Bhatia of Darshan Vihar, Sector 68, Mohali, has been defrauded of a staggering ₹2.5 crore in what appears to be a sophisticated online trading scam.
The retired officer, drawn into the world of stock investments during the COVID-19 pandemic, encountered the fraudulent scheme through an enticing advertisement on Facebook. Under the guise of “Viking Global Investment,” Bhatia was introduced to a purported stock market expert named Sarvesh, who delivered convincing lectures on market trends and analysis. Seduced by promises of a 600% profit plan, Bhatia invested his retirement savings and pension through the company’s app, only to discover later that his investments were being manipulated.
The scam unfolded when Bhatia attempted to liquidate his purportedly burgeoning investment. To his dismay, he was coerced into depositing an additional ₹1.79 crore as TDS/service tax, a demand that raised suspicion due to its deviation from company policy. Further attempts to withdraw funds via another app, “Alicia,” were met with silence from alleged fund managers, signaling a complete loss of communication.
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Upon realizing the depth of the deception, Bhatia promptly filed a complaint with the Mohali cyber crime police, triggering an investigation that led to the booking of unidentified perpetrators under Sections 420 and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology Act. Superintendent of Police (Cyber Cell) Harinder Singh Maan underscored the prevalence of such scams and urged the public to exercise caution, advocating for investment through verified platforms or banks exclusively.
The surge in complaints has caused the cyber cell to increase its efforts through among other things, closing fake bank accounts as well as freezing some accounts so as to recover assets. This disturbing event only goes to show how prone internet ventures are to any kind of risk at any given time which underscores why people should always be vigilant enough especially when it comes to safeguarding themselves from being lured into deceitful plans.
