Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad emerge as epicentres of Rs 1,500 crore investment scam wave

Over 30,000 people across major Indian cities have fallen prey to fake investment schemes in just six months, with Bengaluru alone accounting for over 26% of the total losses.

A new report by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ cyber wing has revealed an alarming surge in investment scams across major Indian cities, with Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad emerging as the biggest hotspots. In the past six months alone, more than 30,000 people have lost a staggering Rs 1,500 crore to fraudulent schemes.

According to data from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Bengaluru has suffered the most severe financial hit, accounting for 26.38% of the total losses. Delhi-NCR and Hyderabad together make up nearly 65% of all reported cases.

Also Read:Hero Naveen saves six lives in tragic Hyderabad-Bengaluru bus fire that killed 22

The report paints a concerning picture of how scammers are exploiting digital platforms and financial aspirations, particularly among working professionals aged between 30 and 60, who form over 76% of the total victims. Even senior citizens are not spared, with around 2,829 people aged above 60 falling prey to such frauds.

What makes the crisis more alarming is the scale of individual losses. The average victim has lost Rs 51.38 lakh, highlighting how sophisticated and convincing these fake investment operations have become. Delhi records the highest per capita losses, with victims losing an average of Rs 8 lakh each.

Also Read:BDA’s Major Arterial Road nears completion, set to transform West Bengaluru connectivity

Messaging apps such as WhatsApp and Telegram have become the most preferred tools for scammers, accounting for nearly 20% of the reported cases. Their encrypted and easy-to-use group formats make them ideal for spreading fraudulent investment offers quickly.

Interestingly, professional platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter barely feature in scam reports, with just 0.31% of the cases traced to these networks. Instead, scammers continue to thrive through informal channels and unidentified platforms, which together make up nearly 42% of all scam activities.