Hyderabad, March 30 -- A 36-year-old private employee from Hyderabad's Alwal was duped of Rs 87 lakh in an online stock investment scam after fraudsters connected with him via WhatsApp.

The scam began in January 2026, when the victim was added to a WhatsApp group operated by a man identified as Kaustubh and his associates.

They used multiple mobile numbers to share stock market tips, IPO recommendations, and fabricated profit screenshots to gain credibility.

The victim was persuaded to download the EPQC App, which the fraudsters claimed is a genuine trading app. After the victim completed the registration, the fraudsters asked him to make an investment promising a major profit.

Believing the fraudsters, the man invested Rs 25,000 and ...