Gangtok, Jan 17: In yet another instance highlighting the rising threat of cyber fraud, two residents of Gangtok district have been cheated by fraudsters promising quick and assured profits through cryptocurrency trading. Police have sounded an alert, cautioning the public against such deceptive schemes that are increasingly being spread through social media platforms and calls from unknown international numbers.
According to police sources, one of the cases originated in the Ranipool area, where the victim was approached online with an offer of “easy money.” After showing interest, he was asked to share his WhatsApp contact details and was subsequently contacted by a caller who pitched an investment plan involving Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The caller claimed that the invested amount would be doubled within a short span, convincing the victim to first transfer a small sum to test the process.
After the initial payment, the fraudster persuaded the victim to send a larger amount to unlock the promised returns. Soon after receiving the second transfer, the caller ceased all communication and blocked the victim, who later realised he had been duped of more than Rs 36,000.
In a separate but similar case, another Gangtok resident received a call from an unidentified international number offering lucrative profits through cryptocurrency trading. The caller later shifted communication to WhatsApp and followed the same pattern of asking for a small initial payment, followed by a larger transfer. Even after the money was sent, no returns were provided. Instead, further demands were made, raising suspicion and leading the victim to recognise the scam. The loss in this case was reported to be over Rs 23,000.
Both victims have lodged complaints on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal and have been advised to pursue the matter with their respective local police stations for further investigation.
Police officials have once again urged citizens to remain vigilant and avoid responding to unsolicited calls, messages or online offers that promise guaranteed or unusually high returns, particularly those linked to cryptocurrency or online trading. The public has been strongly advised not to share personal information or transfer money to unknown or unverified individuals, as such schemes are often designed to exploit trust and urgency.
