Airhostess Loses ₹11 Lakh in Sophisticated Crypto Scam: Rising Cyber Crimes Now Target Even the Most Cautious
In yet another reminder of how fast cybercrime is evolving, a 45-year-old airhostess working with a foreign airline became the latest victim of a highly sophisticated online scam — losing ₹11 lakh to fraudsters who lured her with a promise of easy money through simple online tasks and cryptocurrency investments.
According to police, the victim, a resident of Wadala, was in Saudi Arabia on duty when she received a Telegram message on October 4 offering her a commission for liking social media videos and rating reviews.
Believing it to be a harmless online task, she opened an account through a link shared in the message and began participating.
Soon after, a woman identifying herself as Neha Bhatiya contacted her on Telegram, claiming to represent the reputed “Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group” and introducing herself as the airhostess’s personal account manager.
Bhatiya even transferred ₹1,000 to the victim’s bank account as “commission” to build trust — a classic tactic used by cybercriminals to create legitimacy and lure victims deeper.
Gradually, Bhatiya convinced the victim to invest in cryptocurrency, assuring her of massive profits.
Following the fraudster’s detailed instructions, the victim opened another online account and transferred ₹11 lakh in multiple installments, believing her money was being invested in Bitcoin.
The illusion shattered when the fraudster demanded even more money for “higher returns.”
Sensing something amiss, the victim consulted her husband — only to realize she had been deceived.
The couple immediately approached the Central Cyber Police Station, where a case had been registered against unidentified fraudsters.
Investigators say this case reflects a disturbing new trend: cybercriminals are using increasingly advanced psychological manipulation, blending financial scams with elements of social media and cryptocurrency to appear legitimate.
Experts warn that even alert and tech-savvy individuals are being duped as scammers exploit trust, emotion, and digital sophistication with alarming precision.
As online frauds evolve in complexity and scope, authorities urge citizens to remain skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities — especially those promising quick profits or requiring access to personal banking information.
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