In the lure of quick money and high returns, an increasing number of youngsters in Himachal Pradesh are falling prey to fraudulent investment schemes operated by cybercriminals. The police have warned that fake trading and investment platforms promising guaranteed profits from shares, cryptocurrencies and financial markets are being widely circulated, leading to substantial financial losses for unsuspecting investors across the state.
According to police officials, cyber fraudsters are actively targeting people through social media platforms such as Facebook, Telegram and X, besides promoting fraudulent investment applications through online advertisements and search engines. These platforms are carefully designed to appear authentic, making it difficult for users to distinguish them from legitimate investment services.
A senior police officer said the fraud typically begins with victims being persuaded to download a trading or investment application. After installation, the app seeks verification details to create an impression of legitimacy and build trust. Once registered, users are encouraged to deposit money for trading or investment purposes.
To further strengthen their credibility, scammers invite victims to join online groups where so-called experts provide investment tips and trading guidance. Victims are shown fabricated profits and impressive account balances, creating the illusion that their investments are generating significant returns. Encouraged by these apparent gains, many investors deposit larger amounts in the hope of earning bigger profits.
However, the fraud becomes apparent when victims attempt to withdraw their money. In many cases, the funds become inaccessible, withdrawal requests are rejected and accounts are blocked. Eventually, victims lose access to the platform altogether, while some fraudulent applications disappear completely from online stores and websites.
The police have advised people to remain cautious of any investment opportunity that promises unusually high or guaranteed returns. Officials stressed that genuine investment platforms cannot assure fixed profits and urged investors to thoroughly verify the authenticity of trading applications and financial services before investing money.
The police have also appealed to citizens to follow essential digital safety practices. These include enabling two-factor authentication on WhatsApp, Gmail, social media and banking applications, regularly reviewing linked devices, and never sharing OTPs, passwords, UPI PINs, ATM PINs or CVV numbers with anyone.
In the event of any cyber fraud or suspicious online activity, people have been urged to immediately report the matter by calling the national cybercrime helpline number 1930.
