Hyderabad has emerged as a major hotspot for online stock market fraud, with cyber fraudsters coming up with novel modus operandi and now allegedly exploiting WhatsApp groups to cheat investors. As per an official estimate, several victims from the city were duped by fraudsters under online stock market frauds to the tune of more than Rs 500 crore during 2025.
According to the Cybercrime authorities, the fraudsters are largely targeting salaried professionals and first-time investors by offering seemingly credible stock tips and IPO investment opportunities.
In one of the latest cases, a software professional from Serilingampally lost Rs 2.9 crore after falling prey to a fake stock trading network operating through WhatsApp. The victim was initially added to an investment group where daily stock tips and market updates were shared. To build confidence, the fraudsters credited him with a small profit of Rs 5,000, which convinced him that the system was genuine.
Attracted by the early returns and repeated assurances from group administrators posing as market experts, the victim transferred larger sums in stages.
The money was routed to multiple bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets, after which the trading application stopped functioning, and all communication ceased.
In another case, A 45-year-old woman from the Kothaguda area lost over Rs 2.3 crore to fraudsters posing as stock market investment advisers. She clicked on an advertisement on a social media platform for tips on investing in the stock market.
After gaining her confidence, the fraudsters asked her to download an app through a web link and open an institutional trading account on the app.
Believing them, between Dec 23, 2025 and Jan 19, 2026, the complainant transferred over Rs 2.3 crore to 11 bank accounts provided by the fraudsters in 17 transactions. When the victim tried to withdraw her investment, the scamsters demanded an additional 15 percent advance tax.
Also Read: Cyber fraud victims to get ₹25,000 compensationAfter she paid an additional Rs 15 lakh, taking the total investment to Rs 2.30 crore, the communication stopped and the WhatsApp group became inactive. On realising the fraud, the victim filed a complaint with the Cyberabad police.
The police officials say such frauds follow a fixed pattern. Victims receive unsolicited links on WhatsApp claiming access to exclusive IPOs of reputed companies or guaranteed profits in the stock market. Clicking these links automatically adds users to closed groups where fake identities of well-known analysts and investors are used to post recommendations.
“To strengthen credibility, other members later found to be part of the same network share fabricated screenshots showing high profits. Victims are then instructed to download counterfeit trading applications that display manipulated profit figures, prompting them to invest more,’ said a senior Cybercrime official.
Investigations have revealed that Chinese nationals were the main masterminds behind many of these stock market frauds. Operating from countries such as Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar, they manage the digital infrastructure and payment channels. Indian youth are reportedly lured abroad with promises of lucrative jobs and later forced to operate fraud call centres under threat and confinement.
Cybercrime police advisory:• Investors should remain vigilant, not act on unsolicited advice
• Legitimate investments are made only through SEBI-registered platforms
• Never involve transferring money to personal bank accounts
• Exit unknown WhatsApp or Telegram groups immediately
• Ignore links promising assured or unusually high returns
• Victims can report to 1930 cyber crime helpline
• Prompt reporting improves chances of money recovery.
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