Thane: A 39-year-old resident of Thane has reportedly been defrauded of over ₹1.17 crore in an elaborate online investment scheme involving fraudulent virtual storefronts. The Vartak Nagar police registered a First Information Report (FIR) on Tuesday against four individuals, including three women, following a formal complaint by the victim.
Modus Operandi: The "Virtual Store" Trap
The fraud began when the victim was added to a Facebook group dedicated to online business opportunities. According to police officials, the accused persuaded the man to establish a "Facebook Shop" and a "TikTok Store" using specific links provided within the group.
The scammers promised a 15% commission on every product sold through these virtual outlets. To establish a sense of legitimacy, the victim was initially asked to invest a nominal sum of ₹25,000. Shortly after, a small profit was credited to his digital wallet, a common psychological tactic known as "baiting" used to build trust before a major solicitation.
Escalation and Extortion
Between October and December of last year, the victim transferred a total of ₹1,17,35,000 into various bank accounts linked to the scheme, believing his business was thriving.
The fraud was only discovered when the victim attempted to withdraw his accumulated profits. The accused allegedly blocked the transaction, citing a fabricated decline in the store’s "rating" due to "harassment." In a final attempt at extortion, the scammers demanded an additional ₹31.15 lakh to "restore the rating" and authorize the withdrawal.
Investigation and Police Response
The Vartak Nagar police have launched a probe into the matter. Key investigative focuses include
Digital Footprints- Analyzing the URLs and links used to host the fake stores.
Financial Trails- Tracking the multiple bank accounts where the ₹1.17 crore was distributed.
Telecommunications-Tracing the mobile numbers used to coordinate the Facebook group and personal communications.
Advisory for Citizens
Authorities have issued a stern warning against "high-yield" online investment opportunities. Police emphasize that legitimate e-commerce platforms do not require significant upfront capital to "buy" commission tiers, nor do they demand "restoration fees" to release earned funds.
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