A 46-year-old gynecologist from Mumbai was duped of Rs 1.1 crore after being lured into a cryptocurrency trading scam by a woman he met online, police said. The doctor filed a complaint with the central cybercrime police station of the Mumbai crime branch nearly a year after the incident.

Chance Encounter on Social Media

According to the police complaint, the doctor’s ordeal began on August 13, 2022, when he received a Facebook messenger message about cryptocurrency trading from a woman calling herself Melissa Campbell. Having heard about cryptocurrencies and wanting to learn more, the doctor struck up a conversation with Campbell, who claimed to be a cryptocurrency trading expert.

Campbell assured the doctor she could help him earn handsome profits through crypto trading. She advised him to open a trading account and provided a WhatsApp number for further communication. Trusting Campbell’s crypto trading credentials, the doctor submitted his personal details including mobile number, email address and driving license to open the trading account.

Following Fraudulent Investment Advice

Police said that after creating his cryptocurrency trading account, the doctor received a digital wallet address linked to the account. Acting on guidance from Campbell, the doctor invested Rs 1.1 crore and purchased various cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH) and Tether (USDT) through the wallet address on multiple occasions. Of the Rs 1.1 crore, Rs 79 lakh was transferred from the doctor’s own account.

As per Campbell’s instructions, the doctor later transferred the purchased cryptocurrencies to another wallet address that would purportedly generate greater profits through trading. When the doctor asked to redeem his profits, he was told to first pay taxes and commissions.


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Realizing the Scam Too Late

The doctor even took a loan of Rs 28 lakh from a friend to meet the various demands for taxes and fees, police said. However, he eventually realized he was being duped as the demands kept increasing and his invested money was not being returned. The scam continued until October 14, 2022, after which the doctor threatened to file a police complaint against Campbell.

Nearly a year after the initial encounter, the doctor approached the central cybercrime police station in November 2022 and filed an FIR charging Campbell with cheating and impersonation using a computer resource.


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Police Investigation Underway

The Mumbai police have launched an investigation into the cryptocurrency scam under the leadership of Joint Commissioner of Crime Branch Lakhmi Gautam. Senior Inspector Rajesh Nagwade and Inspector Santosh Khadke are also supervising the probe.

According to police, the doctor had transferred cryptocurrencies to the fraudulent wallet address provided by Campbell at least 32 times. Investigators are currently gathering information on the wallet address to identify those involved in the scam.

The case highlights the risks of investing in cryptocurrencies based on advice from unverified online sources. Police advise citizens to be wary of such investment scams propagated on social media. The investigation continues as officers work to unravel the network behind this cryptocurrency scam that cost a Mumbai doctor his life savings.


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