In today’s digital age, scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and no one is immune. A shocking incident has come to light where a retired senior bank manager, Atul Sonkar, was scammed out of Rs 20 lakh by fraudsters posing as stock market experts. This case serves as a stark reminder that even seasoned professionals can fall prey to deceptive schemes.
Atul Sonkar, 61, a former senior manager at Canara Bank, resides in Gopika Enclave Civil Lines. On September 23, 2024, he was added to a WhatsApp group by two individuals, Kruti and Ravi Agarwal, who presented themselves as stock market experts. Alongside them was another individual, Namit, who provided stock analysis. The scammers built a sense of trust by promising high returns on investments in shares and IPOs.
How the Scam Unfolded
The group convinced Sonkar to invest, assuring him of substantial profits. Over several weeks, they extracted Rs 13 lakh from him between October 9 and November 18, 2024. They even created an account in his name to facilitate the transactions. However, the deception didn’t stop there. The scammers lured Sonkar into another group, promising to double or even quadruple his investments. Trusting their assurances, Sonkar transferred an additional Rs 7 lakh between October 15 and November 6, 2024.
When Things Went Wrong
On November 10, when Sonkar demanded his money back, the scammers asked him to pay an advance tax. When he refused, they crashed his account. It was only then that Sonkar realized he had been scammed and promptly filed a complaint with the cyber police station.
How to Protect Yourself from Such Scams
To avoid falling victim to similar scams, always be cautious when approached by unknown individuals online. Verify their credentials, and never invest large sums of money without thorough research. Consider visiting trusted platforms like Looffers.com for reliable investment advice and opportunities. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!
