In Manama, a 20-year-old man has been arrested and charged with defrauding four individuals by promising unrealistic returns on their investments through online trading platforms. The suspect, who claimed to be able to double their money, used a fabricated account statement to lure victims with the promise of substantial profits. However, after receiving their funds, he failed to deliver any returns and refused to return their initial investments, leading to multiple complaints to the Security Directorate and prompting an investigation into his activities.
The investigation revealed that the suspect had deceived several individuals by promising lucrative returns on their investments through online trading. One victim, a man in his 20s, was approached by the suspect at a cafe and convinced to invest in online trading with promises of high returns. Another victim, a woman, was also promised to double her money through online trading, but both victims ended up losing their investments with the suspect avoiding any refunds or returns.
A third victim, a woman who met the suspect through a mutual acquaintance, entrusted him with BD3,000 for investment purposes but never received any profits or a refund. A fourth victim, a man, also gave the suspect BD850 for investment, only to end up losing his money as well. The suspect confessed to receiving a total of BD65,000 from the victims and others, claiming to have invested the funds in online trading but ultimately losing all the money due to unsuccessful trades.
The suspect also admitted to not having a license from the Central Bank of Bahrain to operate as an investment advisor, leading to charges from the Public Prosecution for receiving money from victims with the intention of investing it without the necessary licenses. This case serves as a cautionary tale for individuals looking to invest in online trading platforms and highlights the importance of verifying the credentials and licenses of those promising high returns on investments.
Investors should be wary of promises of unrealistic returns and should always conduct thorough research before entrusting their money to anyone claiming to be able to double or increase their investments through online trading. It is essential to ensure that the individuals offering investment opportunities are licensed and regulated by the relevant authorities to avoid falling victim to fraudulent schemes such as the one perpetrated by the suspect in this case. By being diligent and cautious, investors can protect themselves from falling prey to such scams and avoid losing their hard-earned money.