Likes a reel on Instagram: Sony trader's son cheated of Rs 31.20 lakh by luring the stock market and IPO, the truth came to light as soon as he went to make a profit

A shocking case has come to light in Rajkot where a cyber fraud of Rs 31.20 lakh was committed with the son of a gold trader by luring him with investment in the stock market and an IPO. Cyber gangsters swindled lakhs of rupees by downloading a fake trading app from a young man who showed his desire to invest after seeing the reels on Instagram. A case has been registered at Rajkot Cyber Crime Police Station in this regard. The game started with an Instagram reel Hirath, 47, son of Hirenbhai Chimanbhai Vaidya, a resident of Silpan Nova, who runs a business under the name 'Arihant Tools' in Soni Bazaar in Rajkot, had expressed his desire to invest in the stock market in February 2026. In the meantime, the cyber thugs contacted Hitharth after liking a reel posted on Instagram from an ID named 'CA Sneha Kejri5'. Later, he was added to a WhatsApp group called 'Light of Ideal 434' and started giving tips on the stock market. Rs 31.20 lakh duped by downloading fake 'Stock Learn India' app After monitoring the group's activities for two-three months, Hitarth showed his willingness to invest and the fraudsters sent a link and installed a fake app called 'Stock Learn India'. Hitarth had deposited Rs 31.20 lakh in various bank accounts as shown by customer care by creating an ID in the app. This amount was visible in the wallet of the app and a huge profit was shown. He asked for 10% more commission to withdraw the profit and the scam was exposed. When Hitharth sent a request to transfer the amount from the wallet to his bank account, the money was not deposited. The cyber mafia was forced to pay an additional 10 per cent charges and taxes to withdraw the money. The family realised the fraud as the principal amount was also not returned. After finally applying to the cyber helpline, the police registered a case against the Instagram ID holder and the admin of the WhatsApp group and conducted a legal investigation.