Mumbai News: Kandivali Businessman Duped Of ₹79 Lakh In Fake Dollar Trading Scam Run By Cyber Fraudsters

Mumbai: A 56-year-old businessman from Thakur Complex, Kandivali East, fell prey to a well-orchestrated cyber fraud, losing a staggering ₹79.14 lakh to an online scam network posing as businesswomen and financial advisors offering lucrative returns through fake dollar trading platforms.

The scam, which unfolded between May 16 and 25, 2025, began when the businessman encountered suspicious profiles on Facebook. One user, identifying herself as Ruchika Bhatt, approached him while posing as a property dealer from Vashi. Gaining his trust via WhatsApp, she persuaded him to invest in a fake trading platform, FxPro, accessed through a counterfeit link. The site displayed fabricated profit charts, prompting him to transfer money from both personal and business accounts to several accounts provided by her.

Within days, two more women — Anya Roy, allegedly a fashion designer, and Deepti Kulkarni, claiming to work with L&T — also contacted him. Roy introduced him to another platform, Bing X, and even arranged a small refund of ₹4,800 from an initial ₹50,000 deposit to build trust. She then directed him to communicate with Aneesh Mathew, who further guided him through the transfer process.

Kulkarni led him to invest in another fraudulent platform, Market Axess, using screenshots of supposed profits to earn his confidence. Soon after, a fourth person, Nitya Agarwal, claiming to run an import-export business, convinced him to invest via GBI — yet another fake trading portal. To gain his trust, ₹2 lakh was credited to his account temporarily before she began demanding more money.

Over time, the businessman transferred ₹79.14 lakh to multiple accounts linked to the accused. When he attempted to withdraw what he thought were profits, he was asked to pay additional charges — a red flag that prompted him to consult his son. Upon review, they discovered that all trading platforms were fake and the profits shown were completely fabricated.

The victim has filed a formal complaint with the Kandivali police and also reported the incident to the national cybercrime helpline (1930). He has submitted evidence including WhatsApp chats, fake trading links, transaction details, and bank records. A case has been registered against Ruchika Bhatt, Anya Roy, Aneesh Mathew, Deepti Kulkarni, and Nitya Agarwal, along with unidentified holders of the beneficiary bank accounts.