Rs 7 Crore ‘Profit’ Claim Ends In Rs 36 Lakh Cyber Fraud
Hyderabad: A 35-year-old man from Nagole lost Rs 36.30 lakh in an alleged online stock trading scam after he was trapped by people pretending to be representatives of Barclays International Group.
According to the complaint, the victim was added to the WhatsApp group named ‘Barclays’ on January 30, 2026, while searching for trading opportunities. Group executives shared trading tips, profit screenshots and so-called SEBI registration certificates to gain credibility.
He was later contacted by a woman who identified herself as Sanya Joshi, used multiple mobile numbers and claimed to be an official trader. He shared a link to a marketplace and convinced her to sign up. The victim initially invested Rs 50,000 and the platform reflected the profits, encouraging him to invest more in corporate stocks and IPOs.
Within a week he invested larger amounts. The website showed a profit of around Rs 7 crore. However, when he tried to withdraw the money, the defendant allegedly demanded two percent of the profits as transaction costs. Suspecting fraud, the victim contacted the police. He stated that he invested Rs 36,35,010 in 12 transactions and received only Rs 5,000 in return, incurring a net loss of Rs 36,30,010.
Malkajgiri Cyber Crime Police registered a case and initiated investigation.
