Facebook Fraud Traps Techie, Rs 2.36 Crore Lost in Fake Store Investment Scam
A software employee from Hyderabad lost Rs 2.36 crore after trusting a Facebook contact who lured him into a fake store investment scheme promising profits through trading and crypto transfers.
- Facebook fraud led to Rs 2.36 crore loss.
- Fake investment app showed profits but blocked withdrawal.
- Cybercrime police registered a case after complaint.
A shocking case of Facebook fraud has come to light where a software professional from Hyderabad lost a massive Rs 2.36 crore after falling into a well planned online scam. The incident highlights how cybercriminals are increasingly using social media platforms to trap unsuspecting individuals with fake investment promises.
The victim, identified as Veerabhadra Rao, received a friend request on Facebook in August last year from a woman who introduced herself as Kora. Claiming to be from Singapore and currently working in Mumbai, she gradually built trust through regular chats before exchanging phone numbers.
As the conversation deepened, she added him to a Facebook group, saying her international friends were earning huge profits through a Facebook store investment model. Initially hesitant, the victim was later convinced to try his luck after repeated persuasion.
Kora shared a link to a so called Facebook store, and when it failed to open, she sent an APK file. Once installed, the app appeared identical to a genuine platform, further gaining his confidence. He was then introduced to another contact named Bella, who guided him through the investment process.
Following their instructions, the victim began transferring money through crypto wallets between September 1 and December 12. Over three and a half months, he invested a total of Rs 2.36 crore. The app displayed increasing profits, creating an illusion of success, but did not allow any withdrawals.
Even after repeated requests, neither the invested amount nor the profits were returned. Realizing he had been cheated, the victim approached the Cyberabad Cybercrime Police, who registered a case and initiated an investigation.
Authorities have once again urged the public to remain cautious while dealing with unknown contacts on social media and to avoid downloading applications or investing money based on unverified sources.
