In yet another sign of how deeply cybercriminals are infiltrating even trusted digital platforms, a Ghatkopar-based IT professional has reported losing nearly R25 lakh over 55 days after being scammed through an app from the Apple App Store.
The complainant, 41, works with the IT department of a private bank in BKC, and was contacted via WhatsApp on September 11 by a woman calling herself Devanshi Parekh, who offered him stock-market tips. He was added to a group titled C514 Systematixgroup Investment Group, and asked to download an iOS trading app.
Over the next several weeks, he transferred money into 16 different bank accounts. and he even received Rs 30,000 as “profit”, but subsequently was unable to make any withdrawals. “Parekh” too stopped responding.
A senior police officer said, “Fake trading apps are now heavily infiltrating into both Google Play Store and Apple’s App Store. People trust them because they’re listed there, but many are fronts for cybercrime networks.”
Checklist: How to Verify a Trading App
>> Check if the broker is SEBI-registered
>> Verify app developer details
>> Ensure it has official website + customer support
>> Cross-check app name on SEBI’s investor alert list
>> Never download apps from links shared on WhatsApp/Telegram
