Hyderabad, Aug. 5 -- A 40-year-old software engineer from Kondapur was allegedly cheated of Rs 25.85 lakh in an online investment scam.

The fraud involved a fake trading application and WhatsApp groups that promised unusually high returns from the stock market.

Modus operandi

According to the complaint, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group. Promising guaranteed profits, the group administrators encouraged members to download a trading app, complete KYC formalities, and invest money.

The complainant said that two people who introduced themselves as Ananya Kulkarni and Prof. Gul Tekchandini guided him through the process. They claimed to be experienced trading experts.

The victim first invested Rs 20,000. He was allowed to withdraw...