Chandigarh, Jan. 1 -- A Chandigarh resident was allegedly duped of Rs.3.82 lakh after being lured into a fake online investment scheme operated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups.

According to a complaint filed at the cyber crime police station, Sector 17, the complainant stated that he was added to a WhatsApp group named "DH197" in September. The group was administered by a person identifying herself as HR Sreedevi Dasari, using a mobile number beginning with 86962. Members of the group were encouraged to invest money with promises of "high returns" and were assured that the group was genuine.

Soon after, the complainant was contacted by another individual identifying herself as Saanvi Raina, who shared a Telegram link. Upon joining ...