Port Blair: Lured by a celebrity-endorsed investment ad on Facebook or Instagram? Think twice. The Andaman & Nicobar Police have sounded a high-alert over a sophisticated cyber fraud in which deepfake videos and images of well-known personalities are being used to deceive people into fake stock market and investment schemes, leading to substantial financial losses.
According to the police, sponsored advertisements circulating on Facebook, Instagram and Google are redirecting unsuspecting users to fraudulent WhatsApp and Telegram groups masquerading as genuine stock trading communities, investment advisory platforms and financial consultancy services.
Once inside these groups, cyber fraudsters entice victims with promises of lucrative stock market returns, exclusive stock tips, live trading classes and guaranteed allotments in Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Victims are then persuaded to open so-called “institutional accounts” and invest money through fake trading platforms.
To make the scam appear authentic, fraudsters initially provide small payouts to gain the confidence of investors. They then persuade victims to deposit larger amounts into Indian mule bank accounts and download fake trading applications through Play Store, App Store links or APK files. Once substantial sums have been invested, the fraudsters abruptly cut off all communication, leaving victims defrauded.
Issuing a public advisory, the Andaman & Nicobar Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid falling prey to such online investment traps.
People have been advised to exercise extreme caution while responding to sponsored investment advertisements on social media, verify the identity of financial advisors and institutions, never share banking credentials or other sensitive financial information with unknown persons, and remain sceptical of investment schemes promising unrealistically high or guaranteed returns.
Citizens who encounter such fraudulent activities or require assistance have been advised to immediately contact the Cyber Crime Police Station, A&N Islands, call the National Cyber Crime Helpline 1930, the A&N Police Helpline 9531856083, or report the matter through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in
