A businessman from Dombivli area in Thane district of Maharashtra lost Rs 77.10 lakh in a WhatsApp-based share trading scheme, a police official said on Sunday.

As reported by news agency PTI, between November 17, 2025, and January 8, victim Prashant Prabhu (43) was added to a WhatsApp group by the accused. The victim, after being manipulated by the accused, invested the amount. As per the Manpada police station, he was promised high returns in share trading.