Cyber fraudsters allegedly cheated three people in Noida of around ₹24.94 lakh on the pretext of investment and trading. The accused first added the victims to WhatsApp and Telegram groups and then persuaded them to transfer money to different bank accounts by promising high returns. When the victims tried to withdraw their money, the accused allegedly kept delaying the payments with various excuses. Noida Cyber Police have registered cases and started an investigation.
According to the complaints, the three victims came into contact with the cyber fraudsters through different means. The accused allegedly used social media platforms to establish trust before collecting money in the name of investment.
Sector 26 resident Nitish Srivastava told police that he received a message on Telegram in August 2025 and was subsequently added to an investment-related group. Members of the group claimed that investors could earn high returns. The process initially appeared to be a normal investment arrangement, following which Nitish began transferring money to bank accounts provided by the accused.
According to his complaint, he made around 20 separate transactions and transferred a total of ₹8,64,410 to the accounts specified by the accused. He expected to withdraw the money after the investment increased, but neither the principal amount nor the alleged profit was returned. He subsequently realised that he had allegedly become a victim of cyber fraud.
The second case concerns Mahagun Mywoods in Gaur City-2, Greater Noida West. Harshit, 35, who lives there, told police that he was added to a WhatsApp group by an unknown number in September 2025. He was later moved to a Telegram group.
Members of the group allegedly promised high profits through trading and sent Harshit a website link displaying information about investments and profits. Initially, he was asked to deposit only ₹5,000. When the website showed that his alleged profit was increasing, his confidence in the platform increased.
The accused then allegedly persuaded him to invest larger amounts. Harshit transferred a total of ₹7,44,920 to different bank accounts. When he tried to withdraw the money, the accused allegedly claimed that his bank details had been entered incorrectly. Harshit said his banking information was correct, but the money was not returned. He then suspected that the entire investment platform was fraudulent.
In this method of cyber fraud, victims are often shown their money and alleged profits increasing on fake websites or applications, making them believe that their investment is actually growing. When a victim deposits a larger amount and attempts to withdraw it, fraudsters may allegedly demand additional payments on the pretext of taxes, processing fees, bank charges or other reasons. Even after such payments, the money may not be returned.
Noida police are investigating the bank accounts into which the victims were asked to deposit money and are checking the mobile numbers used to contact them.
Police are also collecting information about the WhatsApp and Telegram groups. Investigators will examine who created the groups, who their administrators were and how the victims were persuaded to invest.
The fake website is also under investigation. Police will examine when it was created, where its server was located and who operated it. If the website was used to collect money from multiple people, the investigation could extend beyond Noida.
Cyber fraudsters often allegedly create multiple fake members in investment groups who claim to have earned profits and share screenshots. This can make new members believe that others are earning money and encourage them to invest.
In such cases, fraudsters may initially ask victims to invest small amounts to build trust. They may also show alleged profits on smaller investments before encouraging victims to deposit larger sums. Once a substantial amount has been deposited, withdrawals may be blocked.
Noida police are also examining whether the three cases are connected and whether a single cybercrime gang could be behind them. Similarities in mobile numbers, bank accounts, websites or Telegram and WhatsApp groups could provide leads in the investigation.
Police are also facing the task of tracing the money allegedly defrauded from the victims. Cyber fraudsters often use different bank accounts instead of receiving money directly in their own accounts. Such accounts are commonly referred to as mule accounts. The money may be moved through multiple accounts before being withdrawn through other means, making investigation and recovery difficult.
Noida Cyber Police are currently collecting digital evidence related to the money transfers, bank accounts, mobile numbers, WhatsApp and Telegram groups and the website. The investigation will determine whether the three incidents were carried out by the same gang or by separate cyber fraudsters.
Government cyber-security advisories have also warned people about social-media investment groups that claim unusually high or guaranteed returns. People are advised to independently verify the authenticity of any investment adviser or financial institution before investing.
If a person becomes a victim of online financial fraud, a cybercrime complaint can be filed without delay. Complaints can be made through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, and 1930 should be contacted immediately in cases of financial fraud.
