Two Pune Residents Lose ₹1.15 Crore in Online Share-Trading Scam
Two Pune investors duped of ₹1.15 crore via fake online trading apps – police issue fresh warning as share-fraud cases surge.
Pune|09 December 2025: Two Pune citizens- a software engineer from Wakad and a woman employed with a private company – have lost a combined ₹1.15 crore after falling prey to what police call a sophisticated online share-trading fraud. The cases, registered at the relevant cyber-police stations, highlight how manipulative trading apps and fraudulent investment groups continue to prey on unsuspecting investors.
In the first case, the 43-year-old engineer was lured in May 2025 by promises of high returns via a trading app that falsely showed a profit of ₹12 crore. When he tried to withdraw funds, the fraudsters demanded a 15% “tax on profits,” after which they vanished with his money – amounting to ₹59.65 lakh.
In the second case, the 37-year-old woman was added to a group on a messaging platform that purportedly offered over-the-counter (OTC) stock trading with guarantees of 100% profits. Between May and September 2025, she transferred money across several accounts – totalling ₹55.22 lakh – before she realized the scheme was a sham.
According to police, the modus operandi is a disturbing mixture of social-engineering, fake “profit display” and pressure tactics for further investment. Victims are often introduced via social media or messaging-app groups, offered “exclusive” advice, shown manipulated dashboards that reflect astronomical gains, and then confronted with demands for bogus fees or taxes when they attempt to withdraw.
Authorities warn that these aren’t isolated incidents. Over the past year, the Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad cyber-police have registered several such cases – involving losses ranging from a few lakhs to crores of rupees. In one earlier instance, a software professional reportedly lost ₹3.66 crore to a similarly structured fake-trading app.
Experts say what makes such scams particularly dangerous is their veneer of legitimacy. By using polished apps, professional-looking investment groups, and even fake credentials, fraudsters exploit the trust of investors hungry for returns. The artificially inflated profit screens – often backed by manipulated data – create a false sense of security and encourage deeper investment. Once the fraudsters have collected a substantial sum, they disable withdrawal, demand more money in the name of “taxes” or “fees,” or simply vanish.
For ordinary citizens who may not be financially sophisticated or are drawn by social media hype, the danger is real – and immediate. As these scams proliferate, experts and police alike urge vigilance. Key warning signs include unsolicited outreach through social media or messaging apps, promises of extremely high returns with little risk, requirement of upfront “processing fees” or “taxes,” and refusal or delay when withdrawing funds.
As of now, investigations into the two recent frauds are ongoing. Cyber-police have registered FIRs and are trying to trace the money trail across multiple bank accounts. But recovery is seldom easy; once the funds are dispersed, tracing and retrieving money becomes a complex challenge.
For investors -especially first-time or small investors – the message is clear: treat online trading opportunities with caution. Before committing funds, verify the credentials of the trading platform, avoid deals initiated via social media or unknown groups, and never be swayed by aggressive promises of high returns.
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