An immigration officer attached to the Malaysia Consulate in Mumbai lost Rs 79 lakh in the name of crypto investment. How an educated person got trapped in the trap of cyber criminals, how he was linked to WhatsApp Easy Plan group, know everything here….
Mumbai Crypto Investment Fraud: A shocking case of crypto investment fraud has come to light from Mayanagari Mumbai. A 41-year-old immigration officer working at the Consulate General Office of Malaysia in Mumbai lost around Rs 79 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam. The most surprising thing is that an educated person not only succumbed to greed and became a victim of fraud but also contacted the police after about one and a half years. Questions abound that why? How did the fraud start with the “EG Plan” WhatsApp group? In January 2024, the immigration officer was added to the WhatsApp group named “EG Plan”. Information related to share trading and investment was shared in this group. Because the victim had little knowledge of the stock market, he found the group’s words credible. As per the group’s instructions, he registered on a company’s website and started investing. In the beginning everything seemed normal.
Initially he got profit, then how did he get into the trap?
Initially he got a return of Rs 1.69 lakh. This strengthened his confidence. Between April 2024 and June 2025, he transferred about Rs 78.85 lakh to different bank accounts through online transactions and RTGS. In total, money was sent to more than 18 bank accounts. He thought he was making huge profits in cryptocurrency trading.
Why the demand of Rs 18 lakh in the name of processing fee?
When he tried to withdraw his money and profits, the real shock came. The swindlers told him that to withdraw the money he would first have to pay a processing fee of Rs 18 lakh. When he refused to give the money, all communication suddenly stopped and thereafter all contact was lost. This is where he became suspicious.
Why did the victim remain silent for one and a half years?
According to the East Region Cyber Police, the officer lodged the complaint after about one and a half years. He told that he was under mental stress and was silent due to fear of defamation in the society. Later the bank advised him to contact the police. Now a case has been registered against 10 unknown people under criminal conspiracy, fraud and IT Act. Police are investigating the bank accounts where the money was transferred.