A Raipur doctor has allegedly lost Rs 1.51 lakh to cyber fraudsters who promised high returns through a fake trading scheme and convinced her to transfer money in multiple instalments. The cyber fraud case was reported in Raipur after the victim, a woman doctor working at a private children’s hospital, approached City Kotwali police when the promised returns never arrived.

According to police, the accused contacted the doctor through WhatsApp and projected themselves as investment facilitators offering quick profits through a trading plan. The complainant later realised she had fallen victim to a cyber fraud after the suspects stopped responding and began demanding more money.

WhatsApp contact began

Police said the complainant, Dr Pooja Kishor, works at Balgopal Children Hospital in Raipur and resides in the hospital hostel. She told investigators that on April 24, 2026, she received messages on WhatsApp from two separate mobile numbers.

The senders introduced themselves as persons linked to an investment scheme and claimed they could help her earn substantial returns through online trading. According to the complaint, the messages were designed to build trust and persuade her to invest quickly.

Money sent in parts

After repeated communication, the doctor agreed to transfer funds. Police said the accused allegedly persuaded her to send money through UPI in 13 separate transactions.

The complainant transferred amounts including Rs 22,178, Rs 22,177, Rs 5,000, Rs 22,937, Rs 15,999, Rs 22,937, Rs 10,212 and Rs 29,999, among other payments, taking the total amount to Rs 1,51,439.

Investigators said the money was transferred to multiple accounts linked to Kotak Mahindra Bank and State Bank of India.

Friends’ accounts also used

In her complaint, Dr Kishor told police that her own bank account had a transaction limit of Rs 1 lakh. After she reached that cap, the accused allegedly asked her to continue sending money through other accounts to complete the “investment process”.

She then used the bank accounts of her friends, identified as Lokesh Bandebuchche and Niranjan Sawant, to transfer additional amounts, according to the complaint. Police are now examining those linked transactions as part of the financial trail.

No returns, fraud exposed

The complainant told police she initially expected returns as promised by the accused. However, when no payment was credited back and the suspects continued to ask for more money, she began to suspect fraud.

Officials said she then approached City Kotwali police and filed a written complaint. Based on the complaint, police registered a case and launched a formal probe into the cyber fraud.

Police begin probe

Raipur police have registered an offence under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and started an investigation. Officials said they are tracing the mobile numbers used to contact the victim and verifying the bank accounts and UPI IDs that received the funds.

According to officials, investigators are also gathering digital transaction records and technical inputs to identify the accused and determine whether the fraud is linked to a larger organised network.

Rising cyber fraud threat

The case adds to a growing list of cyber fraud complaints involving fake trading and investment schemes being circulated through WhatsApp and social media platforms. Such frauds often target professionals by offering quick returns and using repeated digital contact to gain confidence.

Police have urged the public not to trust investment offers shared through social media without verification. Officials advised people to cross-check financial schemes before transferring money and report suspicious digital activity immediately.