In yet another reminder of the rising threat of cyber fraud, two residents of Gangtok district have fallen prey to an online “easy money” scam involving fake cryptocurrency investment schemes. Police have cautioned the public to remain vigilant, noting that such frauds are increasingly being carried out through social media platforms and calls from international numbers.
According to police sources, the first incident was reported from the Ranipool area. The victim was initially approached through a social media platform and offered an opportunity to earn quick and guaranteed returns. After showing interest, he was asked to share his WhatsApp number, following which he received a call detailing a supposed investment opportunity in Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies. The caller assured him that his money would be doubled within a short period.
To gain the victim’s trust, the fraudster first asked him to invest a small amount, which was transferred as instructed. He was later convinced to make a second, larger payment to unlock the promised returns. Soon after the transfer, the caller ceased all communication and blocked the victim on all platforms. The victim later realised he had been cheated, suffering a loss of over ₹36,000.
In a similar case, another resident of Gangtok reported receiving a call from an unknown international number. The caller made similar claims of high-profit cryptocurrency trading and later shifted the conversation to WhatsApp. After making an initial small payment, the victim was asked to deposit a larger amount to complete the investment process. Despite transferring the money, no returns were received. Instead, the caller demanded additional funds, prompting the victim to recognise the scam. The total loss in this case exceeded ₹23,000.
Complaints related to both incidents have been registered on the National Cybercrime Reporting Portal, and the victims have been advised to approach their respective police stations for further investigation.
Police have once again urged the public to avoid responding to unsolicited calls, messages, or online offers promising guaranteed or unusually high returns, especially those linked to cryptocurrency and online trading. Citizens have been strongly advised not to share personal information, phone numbers, or transfer money to unknown or unverified sources.
