Latest news with #SMC912
Hans India
13 hours ago
- Hans India
Duo from Gujarat arrested in stock trading fraud
Hyderabad: The Hyderabad Cyber Crime police have apprehended two individuals from Gujarat in connection with a stock trading fraud case. The arrests were made as part of an investigation into a scam that allegedly defrauded a victim of over Rs 67 lakh. Police identified the arrested individuals as Mehulbhai Devrajbhai Ramani, aged 37, described as an account supplier, and Gondaliya Hardik Kumar Mukeshbhai, aged 26, identified as an account holder. Authorities seized net cash of Rs 1 lakh from the accused. According to police reports, the victim, a 57-year-old private employee residing in Hyderabad, initially received WhatsApp messages offering stock trading tips. Subsequently, he was directly added to a WhatsApp group named 'SMC 912'. Within this group, he was advised to consult with a customer care representative who purportedly facilitated all fraudulent transactions. Believing their claims, the victim proceeded to deposit a substantial amount totalling Rs 67,60,049. Following the victim's complaint, the police registered a case under Sections 66 C, 66 D of the IT Act, and Sections 111(2)(B), 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The Cyber Crime police stated that the accused contacted victims through WhatsApp, posing as a stock trading advisory service. They then provided 'mule' bank accounts and deceived victims into depositing money into these accounts under the guise of trading. The same modus operandi was employed to collect funds from numerous unsuspecting individuals. After the transactions were completed, the accused blocked the victims' contacts and ceased responding to their calls and messages. The Cyber Crime department has issued a public advisory, urging people to be wary of fake investment schemes promoted on social media platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and Facebook, which promise high returns with minimal risk. They emphasised the importance of never trusting promises of exorbitant returns or fabricated profit screenshots. Citizens are advised not to fall prey to such scams and to always use SEBI-approved applications for investment purposes, consulting SEBI-registered financial advisors before committing any funds. Furthermore, the police stressed the importance of immediately reporting suspicious transactions. Should an unauthorised transaction be noticed, a dispute should be raised with the bank without delay. In the unfortunate event of becoming a victim of cybercrime fraud, individuals are urged to dial 1930 or report the fraudulent activity immediately via the portal.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Three arrested for stock trading and investment fraud by Hyderabad cybercrime police
The cybercrime police of Hyderabad have arrested three people in two separate financial fraud cases involving fake stock trading and investment schemes. The total losses to the victims run into several lakhs, with the accused using social media platforms and unauthorised apps to lure unsuspecting investors. In the first case, the police arrested two men from Gujarat for their role in a stock trading fraud. The accused have been identified as Mehulbhai Devrajbhai Ramani, 37, a scrap dealer from Surat, and Hardik Kumar Gondaliya, 26, a private employee from Rajkot. The duo targeted a 57-year-old private employee from Hyderabad by sending him a WhatsApp message with trading tips and directly adding him to a group called 'SMC 912'. The victim was then directed to consult a 'customer care representative' who guided him through a series of transactions. Believing the scheme to be legitimate, the victim transferred a total of ₹67,60,049 to mule bank accounts under the pretext of stock trading. Once the money was deposited, the accused blocked the victim and stopped all communication. Police said the same modus operandi was used to target multiple individuals across the country. The accused provided fake trading advice through WhatsApp, collected money into mule accounts, and cut off contact after the fraud was complete. Two mobile phones and ₹1 lakh in cash were recovered from the accused. In a second case, the police arrested Manish Kumar Sharma, 34, an unemployed man from Delhi, who was wanted in connection with an online investment fraud. He was picked up at the Delhi Airport and is reportedly involved in at least 114 cases across India, including 22 in Telangana. A 39-year-old man from Hyderabad was directed by a friend to use an app called Costa Well Grown, with a link to an APK file. After installing and logging into the app, the victim made multiple deposits into various bank accounts based on promises of daily profits. Initially, small withdrawals were allowed to build trust. However, after he invested a total of ₹6,16,918, the app blocked further withdrawals. Police said Sharma played the role of account holder and OTP operator. He used an APK file named 'FORWARD SMS' to intercept messages and control accounts remotely. The accused used Telegram, WhatsApp, and phone calls to reach victims and promised returns of two to three times the original investment. One mobile phone was seized from the accused. Investigations are underway in both the cases. Victims of cyber fraud can contact the helpline at 1930 or file complaints at
