Sikkim man loses ₹6.36 lakh in Telegram investment scam

A resident of Singtam has lost ₹6,36,445 after falling victim to an online investment scam that lasted for more than two months.

According to police, the fraud took place between June 27 and September 3. The victim was contacted through a Telegram account that falsely claimed to represent a legitimate investment company. The scammer promised high returns and convinced the victim to transfer money through Google Pay to several bank accounts.

Later, the fraudster demanded an additional ₹1 lakh, claiming it was needed to recover the earlier investment. When no returns came, the victim realised he had been cheated and filed a complaint with the authorities.

Police have begun an investigation into the case. Officials have warned people to be cautious about online investment offers, especially those made through social media or messaging apps. They advised citizens to verify company details, avoid sharing personal or banking information with unknown persons, and report any suspicious activity immediately.

The case adds to a growing number of cyber frauds being reported in Sikkim, with authorities stressing the need for greater public awareness to prevent such scams.