A shocking case from Mumbai has once again exposed the deadly consequences of rising cyber investment scams. A 20-year-old student allegedly took his own life after losing ₹1.8 lakh in a fraudulent online investment scheme. Initially, police suspected the incident to be an accident, but further investigation revealed that the student was a victim of a Telegram-based fake investment network.
The police have now filed a case against four accused under charges of abetment to suicide and fraud, while efforts are underway to trace others involved in the scam.
According to reports from India Today, the investigation uncovered a network of fraudsters who lured young people with promises of quick profits through online stock market investments. The main accused — Govind Ahirrao, Sushilkumar Mishra, Aman Abbas, and Harjeet Singh Sandhu — allegedly operated a fake investment racket under the guise of legitimate trading platforms.
The accused first gained the victim’s trust by offering small, quick returns. The student initially invested ₹1,000 and received the same amount as profit shortly after. Encouraged by the seemingly genuine transaction, he later invested ₹80,000, hoping for higher returns. But soon, the scammers started pressuring him to invest even more, claiming he could withdraw earlier investments only after adding additional funds.
The police investigation revealed that the accused constantly communicated with the victim via Telegram, coercing him into transferring more money. They promised to “unlock” his earnings only after completing further investments. The constant pressure and manipulation reportedly pushed the student into severe stress.
On July 17, the victim asked his father to transfer ₹4 lakh, saying he needed the money to retrieve his investment and earn a higher profit. Despite his father’s warning that the website seemed suspicious, the student insisted that it was genuine. Eventually, the father transferred ₹1 lakh, which was the maximum allowed limit at that time. When the student tried to transfer more money, the bank blocked the transaction after flagging it as suspicious.
After meeting his father at a nearby mall that same day, the student did not return home. A few hours later, he tragically jumped in front of a moving train, ending his life.
During the initial phase of the investigation, police believed it to be an accident. However, when they examined the student’s mobile phone, Telegram chats, and bank transaction records, the truth came to light — a case of systematic cyber fraud and emotional manipulation.
On October 11, Mumbai police officially registered a case against the four accused under multiple sections related to fraud, cheating, and abetment to suicide. Authorities believe that more people may be part of this network and are currently tracking other suspects involved in the scam.
The incident has raised serious concerns about the growing menace of online financial fraud in India. Police have urged citizens, especially young investors, to verify the authenticity of online investment schemes before putting in money. Authorities recommend checking official licenses, registration details, and reviews, and avoiding schemes that guarantee unusually high returns.
Cyber experts also advise using official apps or websites regulated by SEBI or RBI and reporting suspicious investment offers to cybercrime.gov.in or the nearest cyber police station.
The tragic case highlights how cybercriminals are exploiting digital platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and social media to run large-scale financial scams. Such schemes often start with small gains to build trust and then trap victims into larger investments.
As India’s digital finance ecosystem grows, awareness and vigilance are the only ways to stay safe. Authorities have once again emphasized — “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”
