The cybercrime wing of the Hyderabad police has issued a public warning over a sharp increase in online trading and investment frauds, in which citizens are being duped by scammers posing as financial advisors on social media platforms, Telegram and WhatsApp.
According to the police, fraudsters have been aggressively targeting individuals by promising quick and assured profits through cryptocurrency, forex and stock trading. Officers said the scammers rely on polished fake websites, manipulated trading dashboards and fabricated profit screenshots to trap victims into investing larger amounts.
Investigators explained that the fraud typically begins with an unsolicited message from someone claiming to be an investment agent. After building trust, the victim is encouraged to make a small initial investment. The scammers then display fake profits to create an illusion of success, urging the victim to add more funds. Problems arise only when the victim attempts to withdraw money, at which point they are repeatedly asked to pay ‘processing fees’, taxes or currency conversion charges.
Police said many victims reported being coerced or threatened when they started to question the process, with fraudsters warning that their funds would be frozen or that legal action would be taken against them. The cycle continues until the victim realises that the trading platform is fake and seeks help through the National Cybercrime Helpline 1930 or the cybercrime.gov.in portal.
The police urged citizens to exercise extreme caution when approached by unknown individuals offering investment opportunities. Officials advised the public to verify the credentials of platforms and advisors with SEBI, avoid sharing personal or banking details, and stay wary of promises of guaranteed profits. They also reiterated that legitimate platforms do not demand additional payments for withdrawals.
Published – December 06, 2025 08:43 pm IST
