Physiotherapist assistant duped in cyber fraud

Bhopal: A 34-year-old physiotherapy assistant from Karond was allegedly duped of Rs 21.74 lakh by cyber fraudsters who lured him into a fake stock trading and investment scheme through a WhatsApp group claiming links to a reputed broking platform.

Nishatpura police on Monday registered a case and started an investigation.According to police, complainant Mohammad Zakir Siddiqui, a resident of Housing Board Colony, Karond, received an invitation to join a WhatsApp group on December 29, 2025. The group’s administrators allegedly introduced themselves as representatives of a stock trading platform and claimed that one of them, identified as “Gaurav Seth”, was the CEO of a demat company.The fraudsters allegedly assured members of guaranteed returns of 10-15% through block trading and stock market investments. They also helped Siddiqui open what was projected as an advanced trading account through a link shared on the group.Believing the offer to be genuine, Siddiqui transferred money through 14 separate transactions between December 31, 2025, and January 27, 2026, into five different bank accounts provided by the accused.

The total amount transferred was Rs 21.74 lakh.Police said the victim was shown notional profits of nearly Rs 70 lakh on the trading platform. However, when he attempted to withdraw Rs 10 lakh on January 29, he was allegedly asked to deposit an additional Rs 20 lakh as “tax”. Suspecting fraud, he refused and later approached the cyber-crime police.Based on his complaint, an e-FIR was registered, and case was transferred to Nishatpura police station. Police are tracing the bank accounts and mobile numbers used in the alleged fraud. Further investigation is underway.