Rigged Analytics: Hyderabad Techie Conned Of Lakhs By Counterfeit SEBI Stock Advisory Group

Cyber Police Investigate Sophisticated Investment Fraud Operated Through Fake Trading Apps and Messaging Groups

Hyderabad Cyber Crime Police have registered a case after a 31-year-old software engineer allegedly lost ₹37 lakh in a carefully designed online investment scam involving fake stock advisory groups posing as SEBI-registered professionals.

Officials said the fraud was executed through a structured digital ecosystem that used impersonation, manipulated trading dashboards, and psychological pressure tactics to extract large sums from the victim over several weeks.

Fake SEBI Identity Used to Build Investor Trust

According to investigators, the victim was added to a closed WhatsApp group that claimed to offer premium stock market insights under the name “A15 SEBI Premium Market Analyst Insights.”

To appear legitimate, the operators allegedly shared forged certificates, fabricated registration details, and staged performance reports showing consistent trading profits. Fake testimonials from other group members were also circulated to strengthen credibility.

The scammers gradually convinced the victim that the advisory group was officially connected to regulated financial authorities, encouraging him to participate in high-value investments.

Fraudulent Trading App Created Illusion of Profits

Authorities revealed that the victim was instructed to install a third-party application through an external link. The app reportedly simulated a live trading environment, displaying artificial profits and portfolio growth.

Encouraged by the apparent returns, the software engineer transferred multiple payments to different bank accounts controlled by the fraud network. The total amount invested eventually reached ₹37 lakh.

Police believe the platform was designed purely to manipulate user perception, creating a false sense of financial success to drive further deposits.

Pressure Tactics and Fake Regulatory Threats

The scam escalated when the victim attempted to withdraw his funds. At that stage, the operators allegedly changed their communication style, claiming that his account had violated regulatory trading rules.

They reportedly demanded an additional “compliance penalty” of 25% of the total balance to release the funds. When the victim questioned the charges, communication was abruptly cut off and access to the platform was blocked.

Investigators say this is a common pattern in digital investment fraud, where victims are pushed from promised profits into fear-based payment demands before being cut off entirely.

Cyber Police Investigation Underway

Hyderabad Cyber Crime officials have registered the case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Forensic teams are tracing digital footprints, including IP addresses, server routes, and linked bank accounts used to divert the funds.

Authorities are also identifying suspected “mule accounts” used to quickly transfer and launder the stolen money across multiple layers of transactions.

Public Advisory on Online Investment Scams

Cybersecurity officials have once again warned investors against joining unverified stock market groups on messaging platforms. They emphasized that legitimate regulatory bodies and licensed brokers do not operate investment schemes through informal chat groups or third-party download links.

Citizens are advised to verify any investment opportunity through official channels and immediately report suspicious financial activity to the national cybercrime helpline 1930 to increase the chances of fund recovery.