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In a concerning development, fraudulent advertisements claiming to reveal the “secret wealth” of former Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar have begun circulating on social media platforms, specifically targeting Facebook users with false information about his alleged financial investments.
The deceptive advertisements, which appeared approximately one month after Pawar’s reported death in a plane crash near Baramati Airport in Pune district on January 28, claim that the politician left behind a will revealing an AI-based investment platform that purportedly earned him “crores of rupees.”
These misleading posts feature an image of Pawar alongside a blurred document presented as his will, titled “The Last Will And Testament of Ajit Pawar.” The advertisements are designed to appear legitimate by incorporating the logo of respected media outlet The Indian Express, with text declaring “Ajit Pawar Left Behind More Than Anyone Expected.”
An investigation into these claims reveals a sophisticated scam operation. Users who click on links within these advertisements are redirected to fraudulent webpages meticulously designed to mimic The Indian Express website. While visually similar to the genuine news site, these pages lack functional navigation options and feature URLs that vary between posts despite showing identical content.
The fabricated article claims Pawar developed an interest in alternative investments during his final years in politics, allegedly using a platform called “SolariaVionex” powered by artificial intelligence. According to the false narrative, this platform generated Rs 11.2 billion for Pawar, which his family would now inherit.
Most alarmingly, the fraudulent content attempts to lure readers into making financial commitments, claiming the platform remains operational and accessible to the public. It promises extraordinary returns of Rs 2,40,000 to Rs 6,00,000 monthly from a minimum investment of Rs 23,000 – figures that should immediately raise red flags for discerning readers.
The fake article includes a registration link where users are asked to provide personal details, promising that a “personal account manager” will contact them to facilitate the investment process. Testing this claim revealed no follow-up contact within 24 hours, further confirming the deceptive nature of the operation.
No credible evidence exists that Pawar left any will containing references to substantial financial investments or any association with a platform called SolariaVionex. A thorough search of reputable news sources and official records yielded no mention of such documents or investments.
Further investigation into SolariaVionex itself revealed multiple websites operating under the same name – a common characteristic of fraudulent operations. The platform lacks verification from legitimate financial regulatory authorities, with no traceable license numbers or regulatory oversight that would be expected from legitimate investment services.
This type of scam represents a growing trend in digital fraud where bad actors exploit public figures’ names and fabricate news stories to create a false sense of credibility. Such operations typically target individuals seeking investment opportunities with promises of unrealistically high returns.
Financial experts consistently warn that legitimate investment platforms are registered with appropriate regulatory bodies, maintain transparent business practices, and never guarantee extraordinary returns with minimal risk. Consumers are advised to verify investment opportunities through official channels and exercise extreme caution when encountering social media advertisements promising unusual wealth-building opportunities.
Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor such fraudulent schemes, which not only potentially defraud victims but also misuse the identities of public figures and misrepresent established media organizations to achieve their deceptive aims.
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11 Comments
The details provided about the fraudulent ads and the way they’re designed to appear legitimate are quite concerning. It’s a stark reminder that we need to be extremely cautious when encountering any claims about ‘secret’ wealth or financial information, especially if they’re tied to the death of a public figure. Fact-checking is essential to avoid falling victim to these types of deceptive schemes.
Absolutely, the use of a respected media outlet’s branding and the claims about a ‘secret will’ are clear red flags that this is a sophisticated scam operation. Verifying the source and claims against reliable information is crucial to avoid being misled by these types of deceptive ads.
Using a respected media outlet’s branding to lend credibility to a fraudulent ad is a common tactic employed by scammers. It’s disturbing to see them exploit a politician’s death in this way. Caution and critical thinking are essential when encountering claims about ‘secret’ investments or wealth.
Agreed, the use of established media branding is a red flag that should raise suspicion. Scammers will go to great lengths to make their schemes appear legitimate, so it’s important to thoroughly verify any claims before taking action.
This is a clear example of how misinformation and fraud can spread quickly online, especially when leveraging the death of a public figure. The claims about an AI-based investment platform and a ‘secret will’ sound far-fetched and should be met with skepticism. Fact-checking is crucial to avoid falling for these types of scams.
The details provided about the fraudulent ads and the sophisticated way they’re designed to appear legitimate are quite concerning. It’s a reminder that we need to be extra vigilant when encountering any claims about ‘secret’ wealth or financial information, especially if they involve the death of a public figure.
Absolutely, this shows the lengths scammers will go to in order to exploit people’s emotions and curiosity. Verifying the source and claims against reliable information is key to avoiding these types of deceptive schemes.
This is a concerning development. Fraudulent ads claiming inside information about a politician’s finances are clearly a scam operation designed to mislead and exploit people. It’s important to be vigilant and verify any claims, especially those involving sensitive personal information or alleged ‘secret wealth’.
Absolutely, these kinds of deceptive ads can be very convincing but they’re often nothing more than sophisticated scams. Fact-checking and looking for reliable sources is crucial to avoid falling victim to these schemes.
This is a textbook example of the kind of scam that seeks to capitalize on people’s interests and vulnerabilities. The use of a respected media outlet’s branding and the claims about a ‘secret will’ are clearly designed to create a sense of intrigue and legitimacy. It’s crucial that people remain vigilant and fact-check any such claims before engaging.
This is a prime example of the kind of scam that seeks to exploit people’s emotions and curiosity. The claims about an AI-based investment platform and a ‘secret will’ are clearly designed to create a sense of intrigue and legitimacy, but they are almost certainly false. Fact-checking and critical thinking are essential to avoid falling victim to these types of deceptive schemes.