Patna man alleges ₹1.19 crore cyber fraud via fake trading apps
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
A Patna resident has filed a cyber complaint alleging he was defrauded of over ₹1.19 crore through fraudulent online trading platforms that promised high returns, in what investigators are examining as a sophisticated investment scam. The complainant, Abdul Ejaz Azhar Jameel of Jagdev Path, Patna, approached the Cyber Cell on 22 August seeking registration of an FIR, investigation of the alleged fraud, and immediate steps to recover the lost funds.
How the Alleged Scam Unfolded
According to the complaint, Jameel first encountered advertisements and referrals on Facebook linked to entities identified as Julius Baer Wealth Advisors (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Finsol Securities Ltd. Individuals subsequently reached out to him via WhatsApp and allegedly persuaded him to download a trading application called 'JB X One' to begin investing.
In a pattern consistent with many such scams, the alleged fraudsters initially allowed Jameel to withdraw a small portion of his investment — a tactic reportedly used to build confidence and encourage larger deposits. Following this, he transferred substantially larger sums.
Money Trail: Where the Funds Went
According to the complaint, ₹79,56,451 was transferred to bank accounts allegedly associated with Julius Baer, while a further ₹39,96,593 was sent to accounts allegedly linked to Finsol Securities. The total amount reportedly transferred stands at ₹1,19,53,044.
Jameel alleged that the trading application subsequently displayed substantial profits on his account. However, when he attempted to withdraw the funds, he was allegedly told he must first pay 20 per cent of the purported profit as a precondition — a classic red flag in what experts describe as 'withdrawal-block' cyber fraud schemes. This demand raised his suspicions that he had been targeted.
Suspects Named in the Complaint
The complainant provided investigators with mobile numbers of several individuals who allegedly contacted him. These include persons identified as Kunal and Sonal, who claimed to represent Julius Baer, and individuals named Gul and Ananya, who allegedly claimed association with Finsol Securities.
Jameel has requested the Cyber Cell to investigate the alleged beneficiaries by examining their KYC records, bank transactions, IP addresses, and other digital evidence. He has also sought immediate freezing of any available funds in the beneficiary accounts. The online complaint carries acknowledgement number 3050826010xxx.
Broader Context: Rise of Trading Scams in India
This case is part of a growing pattern of investment fraud in India, where scammers impersonate established financial brands to lend credibility to fake platforms. Notably, cyber fraud complaints involving fake trading apps have surged across major Indian cities in recent years, with the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) repeatedly flagging such schemes. The use of Facebook advertisements and WhatsApp as recruitment channels is a well-documented feature of these operations.
All allegations remain subject to police investigation and independent verification. No arrests have been reported at this stage.