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Consulate Officer Scammed Out of Rs 79 Lakh in Crypto
20 Feb
Summary
- A 41-year-old immigration officer lost nearly Rs 79 lakh in a cryptocurrency scam.
- The victim was added to a WhatsApp group that promoted fake investment opportunities.
- After an initial return, the officer invested more, only to be denied withdrawal.
A 41-year-old immigration officer serving at the Malaysian consulate general office in Mumbai has fallen victim to a significant cryptocurrency investment scam, losing approximately Rs 79 lakh. The officer approached the police about 18 months after the incident occurred, citing considerable mental distress and fear of social stigma.
The fraudulent scheme began in January 2024 when the officer was added to a WhatsApp group called "EG Plan," which shared seemingly credible stock trading information. Believing the posts, he registered on a company website and started investing, transferring funds through over 18 different bank accounts via online transactions and RTGS.
Initially, the officer received Rs 1.69 lakh in returns, which bolstered his trust in the scheme. Between April 2024 and June 2025, he invested around Rs 78.85 lakh, believing it was in cryptocurrency trading. When he attempted to withdraw his funds and profits, the scammers demanded an additional Rs 18 lakh as a processing fee. Upon his refusal, all contact was severed.
Following the bank's advice, the victim reported the incident to the police. A case has been registered against 10 unidentified individuals under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act. The East Region Cyber Police are actively tracing the bank accounts used for the fraudulent transfers and working to identify the perpetrators.
