Intraday trading scams don’t look like scams at first. They look fast, look confident, and are profitable.
A message pops up during market hours. Someone shares screenshots of quick profits. A group chat claims they’re “guiding live intraday trades.”
By the time you realise something is wrong, the money is already gone.
This blog explains how intraday trading scams operate in India, backed by real cases and real user experiences, and shows how to identify, prevent, and report them properly.
What Are Intraday Trading Scams?
Intraday trading scams are frauds where victims are lured into same-day buy-sell trading promises, usually with claims like:
- “daily guaranteed profits”
- “operator-based intraday calls”
- “100–200% returns in one session”
- “institutional intraday strategy”
These scams exploit the speed and volatility of intraday Trading frauds in India. Everything happens quickly: decisions, transfers, losses.
Most of these scams operate through:
- WhatsApp or Telegram groups,
- fake trading apps, or dashboards
- impersonating brokers, analysts, or institutions
They are not legitimate intraday strategies. They are structured frauds.
Common Types of Intraday Trading Scams in India
Most victims don’t lose money because the market went against them — they lose money because the entire system was designed to extract fees, subscriptions, or deposits through deception.
The following sections explain the most common types of intraday trading scams in India, starting with the most widespread one: WhatsApp and Telegram tip groups.
1. WhatsApp / Telegram Intraday Tip Groups
You’re added to a group with dozens or hundreds of members. Messages flood in:
- “Buy now”
- “Exit booked”
- “Booked 15% profit in 10 minutes.”
Fake testimonials and profit screenshots are shared constantly to build confidence.
2. Fake Intraday Trading Apps
Victims are asked to install an app or log into a web dashboard that:
- Looks like a broker platform
- shows instant intraday profits
- allows deposits easily
Withdrawals later fail, or require extra payments.
3. “Operator” or “Institutional” Intraday Calls
Scammers claim:
- operator access
- insider information
- institutional-level execution
Retail traders are told they’re getting access that others don’t. That alone is a red flag.
Intraday Trading Scams – Real Cases
These are verified incidents reported by the Indian media, showing how intraday-style scams cause serious losses.
Case 1: Hyderabad Woman Loses ₹2.5 Crore in Online Trading Scam
A woman was added to a WhatsApp group promising high stock market returns.
She was asked to invest through a fake trading app that showed profits initially. Withdrawals later failed, and she lost ₹2.5 crore.
Case 2: Hyderabad Doctor Loses ₹4.7 Crore After Telegram Trading Pitch
A doctor was contacted on Telegram and guided into “trading.” Fake profits were shown.
When he tried to withdraw, scammers demanded additional payments as “tax” and “charges.” Total loss crossed ₹4.7 crore.
Case 3: Bengaluru Man Loses ₹80 Lakh in Two Months
A Bengaluru resident lost ₹80 lakh after being drawn into an online trading scheme.
Funds were transferred repeatedly before withdrawals were blocked.
Intraday Trading Scams: Users Complaints
Across forums like Reddit, Quora, and investment review sites, real traders share a common pattern: they weren’t defeated by market volatility; they were misled by false promises, hidden charges, and manipulated performance claims.
Users frequently report that the systems or “experts” they trusted:
- Provided useless or losing trading signals, despite premium fees
- Used fake profit screenshots and fabricated account statements
- Charged recurring subscriptions without delivering value
- Made it difficult or impossible to withdraw funds or cancel plans
These complaints reveal a broader truth: most intraday trading scams aren’t about poor market timing, they’re about deception and unethical monetization.
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“WhatsApp Intraday Trading Scam”
A Reddit user shared that their family member joined a WhatsApp group claiming daily intraday profits.
The group used fake profit screenshots and asked for repeated deposits. When withdrawal was attempted, extra payments were demanded.
-
“Institutional Trading Account” Scam
Multiple users warned that WhatsApp groups offering “institutional intraday accounts” are scams.
Commenters clarified that no such accounts exist for retail traders.
How to Identify Intraday Trading Scams?
Intraday scams almost always show warning signs early.
- Guaranteed Daily Profits
Intraday trading is volatile. Anyone promising fixed or guaranteed daily returns is lying.
- Aggressive Urgency During Market Hours
Phrases like:
- “Buy immediately”
- “Only for the next 5 minutes.”
- “Miss this and regret.”
They are used to stop you from thinking or verifying.
- Unknown Apps or Dashboards
If you’re asked to trade on:
- An app not listed on official app stores
- a website with no clear ownership
Stop immediately.
- Block Withdrawals
If profits are shown but withdrawals require:
- tax payment
- unlock fee
- verification charge
It’s a scam. Legitimate platforms deduct charges automatically.
How to Prevent Intraday Trading Scams?
When it comes to trading, one must keep aside the greed of getting rich quickly. The market is unpredictable, and no one can give assurance of profit or Trading Scams Recovery.
To protect yourself from intraday trading scams, check a few things as mentioned below:
- Verify Before You Trade
Check whether the person or firm is registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. Do not trust screenshots or certificates sent on chat apps.
- Avoid Social Media Trading Groups
No regulated entity runs public intraday tip groups on WhatsApp or Telegram.
- Never Share Login Details or OTPs
No broker, exchange, or regulator will ever ask for your credentials.
- Don’t Chase Loss Recovery
Many victims lose more money trying to “recover” losses through so-called recovery agents. This is usually a second scam.
How to File an Intraday Trading Scam Complaint
- Collect evidence
- payment proofs
- chat screenshots
- app screenshots
- transaction timelines
- Inform your bank immediately
- File a cybercrime complaint
- Lodge a complaint in SEBI SCORES.
- Track complaint numbers and follow up
Stick to facts. Avoid emotional language.
Need Help?
Register with us; intraday scam cases often fail because they’re poorly documented or escalated incorrectly.
We help investors with:
- identifying the correct complaint route
- structuring complaints properly
- filing complaints on SEBI SCORES, cybercrime portals, and regulatory channels
- managing follow-ups so cases don’t stall
The goal isn’t noise.
It’s action, structure, and resolution.
Conclusion
Intraday trading scams thrive on speed, urgency, and overconfidence.
They don’t look illegal at first.
They look profitable.
If something feels rushed, guaranteed, or too smooth, pause.
In intraday scams, thinking slowly is often the only protection you have.
