Cyber fraudsters promised high returns through bogus investment scheme; case registered, probe underway
Kannur – A retired doctor from a well-known private hospital in Kannur has fallen prey to a massive online investment scam, losing ₹4.43 crore after being deceived into a fake share trading scheme by cyber fraudsters.
According to the Kannur Cyber Crime Police, the doctor, who had opted for voluntary retirement, was first contacted by the scammers via social media earlier this year. Over a period of two months—from April to June 2025—the fraudsters slowly gained his trust, persuading him to invest large sums of money into what they claimed was a lucrative stock trading platform that offered “high and guaranteed returns.”
The unsuspecting victim transferred the funds into multiple bank accounts provided by the accused. However, not only did the promised returns never materialize, but the doctor also failed to recover his original investment.
Police Register Case, Warn Public
Realising that he had been duped, the doctor approached the cybercrime police and filed a formal complaint. Based on his statement, a case has been registered, and a full-scale investigation is underway to trace the culprits and recover the stolen funds.
A senior police official said, “This is another reminder that online investment offers—especially those with guaranteed returns—must be treated with extreme caution. Do not share personal or financial information with unknown individuals or platforms.”
Rising Tide of Cyber Frauds in Healthcare Sector
This incident follows several recent high-profile cybercrime cases targeting healthcare professionals and institutions. We recently reported on a separate case involving a former employee of a Noida hospital, who along with an accomplice, siphoned off ₹9 crore from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi’s (MCD) health scheme by exploiting insider data and using fake emails over a two-year period.
As digital scams grow in scale and sophistication, cybercrime units across India are stepping up efforts to curb financial fraud. Authorities have urged citizens—particularly professionals and retirees—to remain vigilant and report suspicious investment schemes promptly.
