`Anushka Sharma’ to `Manisha’: Hyderabad man loses ₹3.54 Cr in fake crypto scam
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case and launched an investigation into the organised racket.
By - Newsmeter Network
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Hyderabad: A 66-year-old consultant from Kondapur lost Rs 3.54 crore to cyber fraudsters who lured him into investing through a fake cryptocurrency trading application.
The Telangana Cyber Security Bureau (TGCSB) has registered a case and launched an investigation into the organised racket.
Lured on Facebook
According to officials, the victim, a resident of the Majid Banda area in Kondapur, received a friend request on Facebook from a profile under the name `Navya Serge’.
After initiating a conversation, she obtained his WhatsApp number and began regular chats, gradually building trust.
She later persuaded him to invest in cryptocurrency trading, claiming high and assured returns. Acting on her advice, the victim opened a trading account on a platform suggested by her and began investing from June 2024 onwards.
Account blocked after ₹1.5 crore investment
After investing nearly ₹1.5 crore, the victim attempted to withdraw funds but found his account blocked. Despite repeated efforts, he was unable to access his money.
In November last year, he noticed that Navya’s phone number had become active again. When he contacted the number, it displayed a different woman’s photograph.
The person introduced herself as `Anushka Sharma’ from Chandigarh and claimed to run a garment manufacturing business.
Multiple identities used to gain trust
Suspicious yet hopeful of recovering his funds, the victim examined her social media profiles. Her Instagram account carried the name `Manisha’, while her LinkedIn profile described her as a senior manager in a real estate consultancy firm.
Despite realising that Navya, Anushka Sharma, and Manisha were likely the same person operating under different identities, the victim was once again convinced to invest, based on promises of guaranteed profits this time.
Four instalments, total loss of ₹3.54 crore
Believing her assurances, he invested an additional Rs 16 lakh. In total, the victim transferred Rs 3.54 crore in four instalments before realising he had been duped.
The TGCSB has registered a case and is investigating the network behind the fraudulent crypto trading platform.
Officials have once again urged citizens to exercise caution while investing in online trading schemes and to verify the authenticity of digital platforms before transferring funds.
