Key Points

A resident of Ernakulam has been cheated out of nearly 25 crore rupees in a sophisticated stock trading scam. The fraudsters used Telegram and a fake website called capitalix.com to execute their scheme over two years. Police have registered a case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita to investigate this massive financial crime. The cyber crime unit is now working with banks to track down the stolen money and identify the perpetrators.

Key Points: Ernakulam Man Loses Rs 24.76 Crore in Fake Stock Trading Scam

  • Victim lost Rs 24.76 crore in fake stock trading scheme
  • Scammers operated via Telegram account @capitalix_bot
  • Fraud occurred between March 2023 and August 2025
  • Cyber Police seeking bank assistance to trace stolen funds
2 min read

Kerala: Ernakulam resident duped of Rs 24.76 crore in fake stock trading scheme

Kerala resident Nimesh E duped of Rs 24.76 crore via Telegram and fake website capitalix.com. Cyber Police investigate massive stock trading fraud case.

"The victim was lured into the scheme primarily through the messaging platform Telegram - Kochi Cyber Police"

Ernakulam, September 3

A resident of Ernakulam in Kerala was allegedly duped of Rs 24.76 crore through a fake stock trading scheme, police said.

The Cyber Crime Police Station, Kochi, has registered a case under Sections 316(2) and 328(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in connection with the case, in which the victim has been identified as Nimesh E.

According to police, the fraud occurred between March 15, 2023, and August 29, 2025. The victim was lured into the scheme primarily through the messaging platform Telegram.

The scammers, operating under the name 'Daniel' and using a fake website, www.capitalix.com, and through a Telegram account @capitalix_bot, tricked the victim into transferring Rs 24.76 crore in multiple instalments.

The fraud came to light when the complainant was unable to withdraw the invested amount. Cyber Police have sought the assistance of banks to trace the funds, officials said.

Meanwhile, in another cybercrime, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Cyberabad Police arrested an official of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) for alleged forgery, cheating, and misappropriation of Rs 5.30 crore.

An FIR is filled with number53/2025 was filled under appropriate section including 318(4), 316(5), 338, 336(3), 340(2), 344 r/w 61(2) BNS 2023 of EOW PS, Cyberabad.

The accused, Bhaskarabhatla Suryanarayana Sastry, Assistant Manager in the General Administration Department of IRDAI, residing in Shaikpet, Hyderabad, allegedly created forged invoices, office notes, and quotations to divert IRDAI funds into his own and his family members' bank accounts, thereby defrauding IRDAI, a release said.

According to the release, the police arrested Bhaskarabhatla Suryanarayana Sastry, Assistant Manager in the General Administration department of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), residing at Shaikpet, Hyderabad.

The accused Bhaskarabhatla Suryanarayana Sastry, Assistant Manager, took hand loans from multiple persons, thereby falling into a huge debt trap. To repay his previous debts, he hatched a premeditated plan to divert the funds from the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). In this regard, he created fake/forged invoices, office Notes, quotations, and other documents, and processed the payment files for approval with higher officials. He also collected the bank account details of his family members and inserted them in place of the original vendors' bank accounts with IRDAI. Once the higher officials approved the note files, he forwarded them to the Accounts Department, along with the invoices and quotations for payment, the police said.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
This is why SEBI should run awareness campaigns about fake trading platforms. So many middle-class families are losing their life savings to these scams. The government needs to take stronger action.
A
Aditya G
Both cases show how sophisticated financial fraud has become in India. From Telegram scams to insider fraud in regulatory bodies - we need better cybersecurity measures nationwide.
M
Meera T
The IRDAI case is particularly concerning. When officials in regulatory bodies themselves commit fraud, who can the common man trust? Proper background checks and monitoring are needed for all government employees handling funds.
S
Sarah B
I appreciate that the cyber police are taking action, but prevention is better than cure. Banks should have better systems to flag suspicious transactions of this magnitude. Multiple transfers of crores should raise red flags immediately.
K
Karthik V
The greed for quick returns blinds even educated people. If something promises unrealistic returns, it's probably a scam. Hope they recover at least some of the money for the victim.

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