Thane: A 56-year-old resident of Kasarvadavali was cheated of Rs 1.7 crore in an elaborate online investment fraud that began with a Facebook message and culminated in the victim losing his savings to a cybercrime syndicate operating through social media.The victim, who lives in Anand Nagar, fell prey to a meticulously planned scam that exploited his interest in stock market trading. What appeared to be a legitimate investment opportunity turned into a financial disaster when he discovered he was systematically duped by fraudsters posing as professional advisers, the police said.The fraud began in Nov 2025 when the complainant received a message on Facebook Messenger from someone identifying himself as Aman Gautam. Presenting himself as an experienced share market investment adviser, Gautam lured the victim with promises of substantial returns and high-profit margins. After building trust through several exchanges, the fraudster sent a link directing him to join a WhatsApp group called “Short Term Hunters 116”, said the officer.Once inside the group, another individual named Divya Mehra took charge of the operation. Mehra instructed the victim to download an application called “Niv Pro” from the Apple Store, claiming it was necessary for creating a trading account. The unsuspecting victim complied and was subsequently provided with various bank account numbers to begin transferring funds.Between Nov 6 and Dec 19, 2025, the victim made multiple transactions totalling Rs 1.7 crore. Throughout this period, the fraudsters maintained regular contact, sending fake trading updates and fabricated profit statements to keep him convinced of the scheme’s legitimacy.The scam unravelled when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds. He encountered technical difficulties, received vague excuses, and was eventually locked out of the system completely. Both Aman Gautam and Divya Mehra stopped responding, making him realise he was cheated.The Thane police registered a case against Aman Gautam, Divya Mehra, and the WhatsApp group administrators under charges of online financial fraud and cheating. The cyber cell is investigating the digital footprints of the Facebook IDs and bank accounts involved in the transactions.Police urged citizens to exercise caution with unsolicited investment opportunities online and verify credentials through official channels before making financial commitments.
