Trust trap: Langar Houz man scammed of Rs 10.21 lakh by woman claiming to be from Andhra in UK

Hyderabad: A simple Facebook friendship turned into a costly nightmare for a 42-year-old man from Hyderabad’s Langar Houz, who lost Rs 10.21 lakh to a scammer posing as an Andhra woman living in the UK.

What began as casual online chats soon spiralled into a sophisticated investment scam that left him financially drained and emotionally shattered.

Personal conversations moved to talks on ‘trading opportunity’

It all began when the victim received a message from a woman identifying herself as Sai Preethi, claiming to be a native of Vizag living in the United Kingdom.

Over time, the two began chatting regularly, sharing personal details and building familiarity. Once trust was established, the woman introduced him to what she described as a ‘profitable trading opportunity’ with guaranteed high returns.

Tempted by the offer, the man made his first transfer of Rs 50,000. Within days, he saw small profits reflected in his trading wallet, which convinced him that the platform was genuine.

The bait deepens

Between September 1 and October 10, he made multiple transfers amounting to Rs 10.21 lakh to various UPI IDs and bank accounts shared by the fraudster.

Each time, the trading app showed inflated profits, reinforcing the illusion that he was earning steadily. The victim’s confidence grew until he tried to withdraw his earnings.

The trap snaps shut

When he attempted to withdraw $14,000, the transaction failed.

The woman told him the funds were held up due to ‘tax clearance issues’ and demanded more money to release them. That was when reality sank in that the woman stopped responding, her profile vanished, and his money was gone.

Police uncover the Modus Operandi

Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police, who registered a case based on the victim’s complaint, said the fraudsters were part of a larger network creating fake social media identities to lure victims into online investment scams.

“These criminals first gain emotional trust, then slowly push victims into fraudulent trading platforms,” an official said. “They display fake profits, demand additional payments, and disappear once the victim realises the fraud.”

A widening web of online deception

Investigators said several similar complaints have been reported recently, with fraudsters impersonating NRIs, financial consultants and professionals to appear credible. The scammers use manipulated dashboards and convincing app interfaces to make their operations look legitimate.

Police Advisory: Stay alert, stay smart

Cybercrime officials have urged citizens not to fall for strangers offering online investment opportunities. They advise:

- Avoid clicking on links shared through Facebook, Instagram, or WhatsApp.

- Never transfer money to unknown UPI IDs or accounts for investment purposes.

- Verify all investment platforms and ensure they are SEBI-registered.

Victims can report cyber fraud by calling the 1930 helpline or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in. For emergency assistance, Cyberabad Police have also provided a contact number: 8712665171 (call or WhatsApp).