The 49-year-old Chandkeda victim filed a complaint with Cybercrime police on Monday after discovering that his in-app trading account had been blocked and his phone number had been separated from contact with the scammer, according to The Times of India.
I’m obsessed with fake profits via Facebook
The case began on February 19th, and the complainant clicked on the WhatsApp group link entitled “E-28 Ask Capital Circle” while browsing Facebook. Group administrators have started offering “tips” for investments and have instructed them to download a mobile application named “AskicPro.” He first observed the group’s arguments, but was soon persuaded to make a small investment. On March 19th he deposited Rs 25,000 to buy shares in “Clara Industries Ltd” and was asked to sell them soon after. The next day, his in-app wallet reflected Rs 28,800, facilitating further trading.
By March 27th, his wallet balance had grown to 5 rupees, the app displayed consistent “profits” and the scammers had urged him to join “OTC Trading.” This pattern of false benefits appeared to solidify victims’ trust in the platform.
Fake SME IPO allocation letter, Rs 42 lakh Sunk
The group administrator later convinced him to apply for an IPO in the name of “beneficial solutions SME.” After applying via the AskicPro app, he received a letter of apparently official IPO allocation and was asked to deposit Rs 42,80,640. He agreed and eventually paid in installments in full.
When he tried to withdraw the funds, he was told to make an additional 150,000 Rs. for “capital verification.” After negotiations, he deposited another 10 rupees, according to the Indian era.
Blocked and disappeared
The final blow came when he tried to withdraw Rs 450,000 from the app wallet, but it turns out the transaction failed. His account was immediately blocked, he was removed from the WhatsApp group and his mobile number was blacklisted by the scammers.
The incident is currently under investigation by Ahmedabad Cybercrime Police.
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