Delhi businessman duped of Rs 4.04 crore in WhatsApp stock trading scam; FIR registered

New Delhi [India], April 22 (ANI): The Delhi Police's Special Cell has registered an FIR in a cyber fraud case where a Delhi-based businessman was allegedly defrauded of over Rs 4.04 crore by an operator of a fraudulent WhatsApp group named "A5 Wealth Freedom" under the guise of stock market investment schemes.
According to the statement, the FIR was filed under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(4), 319(2), 61(2), and 3(5), following a complaint from Akshay Gupta, a resident of Delhi's Kirari Suleman Nagar.
Gupta claimed that he was lured into the fraudulent scheme with promises of high returns through "QIB trading" via a trading app named Galad Arab, allegedly linked to a Dubai-based firm, Galahad Securities Ltd.
Gupta alleged that he was manipulated into transferring large sums of money to various bank accounts across India. The total amount swindled from him amounted to Rs. 4,04,50,000, spread across 27 transactions between February and March 2025.
As per the statement, the WhatsApp group, allegedly operated by Harry Singh and three other individuals, created a false sense of authenticity using fake profiles, market tips, and a counterfeit trading app interface.
Gupta stated that when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, which were shown as Rs. 26 crore on the app, he was coerced into paying additional sums under the pretext of government taxes and threats involving fabricated FBI claims.
The statement further added that the scam took place across various locations within Delhi and other parts of India through a coordinated cyber operation that spanned over three months, from January 1 to April 5, 2025.
The case was referred to the Intelligence Fusion and Strategic Operations (IFSO) unit for investigation. Preliminary enquiries confirmed fraudulent activity, prompting the Special Cell to take immediate action. The investigation is ongoing. (ANI)