Nagpur: A 55-year-old advertising professional from Manish Nagar allegedly lost ₹25.79 lakh after cyber fraudsters lured him into a fake investment scheme through WhatsApp, promising high returns.

The fraud took place between July 8 and September 14, while the victim, Sunil Pandharinath Karangale (55), approached the Cyber Police and lodged a complaint on September 22.

According to the complaint, Karangale began receiving financial investment advertisements on WhatsApp from people using multiple mobile numbers. The accused allegedly promised substantial returns and sent links that induced him to transfer money from his HDFC Bank account through RTGS and NEFT.

The fraudsters later allegedly added Karangale to a WhatsApp group named “MOFSL VIP 814” and persuaded him to download an application called “MOFSL Pro”. Through the app, the accused allegedly showed him false information about his investments and purported returns.

Believing the investment scheme to be genuine, Karangale transferred money on several occasions. He ultimately suffered a loss of ₹25,79,276, police said.

The accused allegedly used mobile numbers 9434391136, 9117069148, 763254933, 6280154803 and 9574328721 during the fraud. No arrests have been made so far.

The Cyber Police have registered a case under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to cheating, impersonation and forgery, along with provisions of the Information Technology Act.

Investigators are examining the bank transactions, mobile numbers and WhatsApp group details to identify the accused and trace the money.