Nagpur: A 41-year-old professor from Manish Nagar fell victim to an alleged online investment scam, losing ₹9.16 lakh after fraudsters lured her with promises of high returns through a fake trading platform. Beltarodi Police have registered a case and launched an investigation.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Meenakshi Santosh Sonawane (41), a professor and resident of Paradise Suraj Housing Society, Manish Nagar, Nagpur, received a phone call from unidentified persons who claimed that investing in a company named “Whale Trading” would generate substantial profits.

The accused allegedly sent an investment link to the victim’s mobile phone and persuaded her to invest money through the platform. Believing the promises of lucrative returns, she transferred ₹9.16 lakh in multiple transactions between July 9 and August 4, 2026.

However, after the investments were made, the accused neither returned the principal amount nor paid the promised profits. When the complainant tried to recover her money, the fraudsters allegedly stopped responding, prompting her to approach the police.

Based on her complaint, Beltarodi Police registered an FIR on August 6, 2026, under Sections 318(4), 319(2), and 308 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), along with Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.

The FIR names Kunal Somayya and Sonal as accused. No arrests had been made at the time of filing the case.

Police have urged citizens to exercise caution while investing through online trading platforms and to verify the authenticity of investment companies before transferring money. Authorities also advised people to avoid clicking on links received from unknown callers and to report suspected cyber fraud immediately to the police or the national cybercrime helpline.