Indian Man Falls Victim to "Br-BlockPro" Scam, Loses Over $478,000

A man from Kerala, India, recently fell prey to an online scam, losing ₹40.5 million (approximately $478,000). The scam was reportedly initiated through a WhatsApp message impersonating a representative of a reputed financial services company.

Posing as a Financial Firm to Promote a Fraudulent Trading App

The victim, a 45-year-old resident of Tripunithura, received a WhatsApp message from someone claiming to represent a well-known financial services company. The message promoted a trading app named "Br-BlockPro," asserting that users could conduct stock trades and earn significant profits. Lured by promises of high returns and quick gains, the victim was persuaded to download the app and invest funds.

Between September 26 and December 9, the victim made multiple investments via the app, amounting to ₹40.5 million (approximately $478,000). However, after a few weeks, he discovered he was unable to withdraw any funds from the application. This realization led him to suspect fraud.

Recognizing the scam, the victim filed a complaint with Kerala’s cyber police. Authorities have since launched an investigation into the case, aiming to identify the criminal network behind the scam and recover the victim’s losses.

Warning: Beware of High-Return Promises, Stay Alert Against Online Scams

Such scams often impersonate legitimate financial institutions or platforms, using promises of high returns to attract investors. Experts advise individuals to verify the authenticity of platforms before making financial transactions, avoid downloading apps from unverified links, and remain cautious of offers that seem too good to be true.