Hyderabad: In a disturbing new trend, a software professional from Hyderabad fell victim to a Rs 45 lakh investment scam after connecting with a fraudster on a dating app. The scam unfolded over just 15 days, during which the victim was lured into making multiple investments under the guise of trading, with promises of high returns.
The victim, a 36-year-old from Bachupally, received a request in Jan from a woman named Vinni alias Vineetha Agarwal, claiming to be a doctor. They quickly moved their conversation to WhatsApp, where she convinced him that she was earning substantial profits from currency pair and forex trading and was planning to build her own hospital. She encouraged him to invest in the same type of trading, assuring him that it would secure a prosperous future.
Following her advice, the techie began with an investment of Rs 50,000, which he gradually increased based on the encouragement he received. Vinni provided him with a website link (www.finaltofx.com) to create an online trading account and guided him through the process. When the victim mentioned that he lacked funds, she convinced him to borrow money, promising he could repay it within a month.
Trusting her, he borrowed funds from family, withdrew mutual funds, and even took personal loans to invest in the trading account. The platform initially showed profits after each transaction. However, Vinni instructed him not to withdraw any amount until she gave her permission.
When the victim attempted to withdraw his profits in February, he was informed that a 20% exchange fee was required. After paying the fee, he lost all contact with Vinni, and the website became unreachable.
Cyberabad cybercrime police have launched an investigation into the case. They have urged the public to avoid investing on unauthorised platforms and to use only RBI-approved trading websites or Demat accounts. “Investment frauds through dating apps are becoming increasingly common, and we advise people to be cautious,” said a cybercrime official.
