The app falsely showed profits of over ₹1.44 crore and demanded another ₹28.83 lakh to withdraw them.
HYDERABAD: A software employee lost ₹33.62 lakh in a trading scam after clicking on a Facebook advertisement and joining a WhatsApp group named Equirus Leap A606. He was tricked into installing a fake app and investing in bogus stock and IPO schemes.
Cyberabad Cyber Crime Police registered the case (Crime No.1457/2026) under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Section 66‑D of the IT Act, following directions of the IX Additional Judicial Magistrate. Inspector V. Durga Ramalinga Prasad is investigating.
The victim, Rupesh Kumar Perla, said he was guided by a “financial advisor” named Divya Iyer. He began with ₹5,000 and even withdrew ₹4,257 to test the process. Later, he was allotted 4,125 shares of HD Fire Protected Ltd. for ₹4.7 lakh. Believing the app genuine, he eventually transferred ₹33.62 lakh to accounts provided by the fraudsters.
The app falsely showed profits of over ₹1.44 crore and demanded another ₹28.83 lakh to withdraw them. On making inquiries, he realised it was a scam.
Police said the fraudsters had cloned the name of a legitimate firm to build trust. Citizens have been cautioned against fraudulent trading apps and fake investment groups operating through social media.
