Mumbai: Senior gynaecologist falls victim to Online Crypto currency fraud, cheated of Rs 1.1 crore

Mumbai: In a cyber fraud reported in the city, a senior doctor lost around Rs 1.1 crore on the pretext of getting huge returns on cryptocurrency investment. Following this, the doctor filed a complaint at the cybercrime police station and a probe has been initiated into this matter. 

The complaint was filed by a 46-year-old man, a senior gynaecologist from central Mumbai recently at the central cybercrime police station of the crime branch, which have begun their investigation.

Also read- Pune Pathologist Duped Of Rs 20 Lakh In Bitcoin Investment Fraud

After engaging with an individual through an online platform, the doctor experienced financial loss when the person promised significant profits from cryptocurrency investments. Following the guidelines provided by certain woman on online trading investment, the doctor was cheated and lost all the money in the process. As per a report in Indiatimes, the doctor had invested Rs 1.1 crore out of which Rs 28 lakh was taken as a loan from his friend and the rest was doctor's money

According to the complaint, the doctor received a message on Facebook Messenger about crypto trading from a woman named Melissa Campbell on August 13, 2022. The doctor, driven by his curiosity about investment, engaged in a conversation with the woman via Messenger. 

In an attempt to deceive the doctor, the woman falsely portrayed herself as a crypto trading expert and guaranteed him a substantial profit. Subsequently, they exchanged their Whatsapp numbers, and the woman advised the doctor to create an online trading account.

During the account creation process, the doctor was required to provide information such as their mobile number, email address, and driving license. Once these details were submitted, the doctor successfully established an account on a cryptocurrency trading platform.

In the account, the doctor received a wallet address on the exchange. the doctor utilized this wallet address to conduct multiple transactions, purchasing BTC, ETH, and USDT for a total of Rs 1.1 crore based on the woman's advice. 

As per a media report in TOI, the woman then suggested the next step to gain more profit through the investment. The cryptocurrencies were transferred by the doctor to a different wallet address with the intention of gaining more profit through trading. Upon realizing the profit, he requested redemption, only to be informed by the woman that taxes and commission were required to be paid.

The doctor continued to carry on the same activities until October 14th, when he realized that he had been tricked and would not get his money back. In response, he warned the woman of police actions if he did not get his money back. 

After waiting for a few more days, the doctor filed a complaint against the woman at the cybercrime police station. An FIR was registered under IPC sections for cheating and punishment for cheating by personation by using computer resources under the IT Act.

Also read- Crypto Trading Fraud: Mumbai Doctor Among 9 Others Duped Of Rs 1.5 Crore