Bhopal: A production manager at a pharmaceutical company in Mandideep has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing approximately Rs v45 lakh after being lured into a fake online share trading scheme. The victim, 46-year-old Umesh Thakure, has filed a complaint at the Bagsevaniya police station, leading to an investigation against the fraudsters.
Lured by false profits and “Tax” trap
The scam began in August when Mr. Thakure received a call from a woman named Anu Sharma, who convinced him to invest in online trading. She later introduced him to a “senior,” Harsh Namdev. The duo persuaded Mr. Thakure to download a specific app and start trading.
Initially, the app displayed profits, building the manager’s trust. The fraudsters then instructed him to transfer funds—ultimately totaling around Rs 45 lakh—into various bank accounts across different states. The scheme culminated when Mr. Thakure was told that to withdraw his substantial returns, he first needed to deposit a hefty Rs 37 lakh in “tax.” Realizing he had been conned after confirming the massive transfer, the manager alerted the police.
Police have registered a case against Harsh Namdev and others under relevant sections of fraud and criminal breach of trust, and the investigation is underway.
