Salesman loses Rs 9.5 lakh in online investment scam in Mumbai | Mumbai News

MUMBAI: A salesman working for a sports goods store lost Rs 9.55 lakh to a ‘woman’ who offered him a chance to earn high returns by participating in an investment scheme. It was only after she stopped communicating with him did the complainant realise that he had been duped.
The 40-year-old salesman works at a suburban store. In March 2021, he received a message on WhatsApp with an offer to make investments. The sender introduced herself as Lucy and had a discussion with the salesman. She told him that if he invested with her, there would be guaranteed returns and he could withdraw the entire amount whenever he wished. The salesman was in need of money after not doing very well during the pandemic and lockdown. He trusted her and started to invest.
“The woman gave him a bank account number and initially asked for a nominal investment of Rs 5,000. When he paid the money, the salesman received a sum of Rs 255 as returns in his bank account. Convinced, he made 19 transactions, over a period of eight months from March to November, paying Rs 9.55 lakh in all. He sent the money to different bank accounts as per Lucy’s instructions,” said a police officer. From time to time, Lucy would send him screenshots of the profits his invested amount was making. Whenever he inquired about withdrawal of the sum, Lucy would discourage him stating that his investment was doing well and he should continue paying more.
During one of their subsequent…