Mumbai Businessman Duped in Crypto Trading and Forex Investment Scams via Dating Apps

Details of the Investment Fraud

A Mumbai businessman recently faced a staggering loss of ₹2.14 crore due to a series of fraudulent activities linked to crypto trading and foreign exchange investments initiated through dating apps. The 46-year-old was manipulated by two women posing as potential partners who lured him into their schemes.

Initial Contact and Investment

The businessman first engaged with a woman named Carmen Anita, who encouraged him to invest in crypto trading. After providing a link via WhatsApp, she urged him to create a trading account. He entrusted ₹17 lakh to her, which allegedly grew to $20,000 in his account.

Foreign Exchange Trap

Afterwards, he was approached by Sharika Singh, who prompted him to invest in foreign exchange. He deposited ₹40,000 into this scheme but received only $500 in return. Both women instilled confidence in him, leading to extensive investments.

Fraudulent Withdrawal Attempts

In subsequent inquiries about withdrawing his supposed profits, he was met with demands for additional payments. The crypto trading platform required a 30% capital gains tax from his profits, while the foreign exchange platform similarly asked for an exorbitant fee before allowing withdrawals. His total losses spanned over ₹1 crore and nearly ₹1.14 crore.

Filing the FIR

Realizing he was a victim of a scam, the businessman reported the case to the cyber police. An FIR has been registered against the fraudsters, highlighting the risks associated with investment schemes advertised on dating platforms.