Stock Market Influencer Kidnapped by a Jealous Gang

In a shocking crime, a 28-year-old stock market influencer, Ramji Srivastav, known online as ‘Stockexploder,’ was kidnapped while travelling to Ahmedabad for a Coldplay concert. A gang posing as Cyber Cell officers stopped his bus, accused him of financial fraud and took him away in a black Scorpio. What followed wasn’t a ransom demand but a calculated attempt to hijack his content.

A Well-Planned Cybercrime

Srivastav is originally from Vidisha, Madhya Pradesh. He has built a strong online presence, teaching free stock market strategies through Instagram and Telegram. With 16 mobile phones managing his network, his iPhone was the central hub of his operations. The criminals seemed to know this. Instead of targeting his money or demanding a ransom, they wanted access to his social media accounts.

“They were not after cash. They wanted control of my social media accounts and my followers,” Srivastav later revealed. The gang took two phones and linked their SIM cards to his accounts. Investigators believe their goal was to exploit his credibility to defraud his followers.

Fear, Trauma, and an Unfinished Plan

The kidnap left Srivastav shaken, not just because of the threats but because of its essence. He missed the Coldplay concert he had planned for, but more importantly, his entire company faced a digital takeover.

Police Inspector A.K. Bharwad, leading the investigation, called it “a new form of crime, where physical and digital threats merge.” The Vadodara Rural Police are hunting for the remaining four suspects, charging them under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita and the IT Act, including criminal intimidation, wrongful confinement, and impersonation of police officers.

Free Knowledge on Social Media Under Attack

Just yesterday, Srivastav posted an emotional video. His voice was shaky, his words filled with frustration. “They told me to stop teaching free trading and making people rich. This was done out of Jealousy,” he said. He also apologised to his followers for the break in content, admitting he was still in shock.

This incident raises a crucial question: how safe are social media educators? Srivastav was targeted not for scamming people but for offering free financial knowledge through social media. His case shows a growing threat where criminals see influencers as easy targets, especially those disrupting traditional business models.

The Digital Battlefield

Social media is no longer just entertainment. For millions, it is a classroom, a business hub, and a livelihood. People like Srivastav provide free financial literacy education, helping young Indians understand the stock market. However, as his case shows, success comes with risks.

What happened to the stock market influencer Srivastav is not just a crime; it’s a warning. Today, digital assets are as valuable as physical ones, and criminals adapt quickly. The fight for online security is no longer just about passwords; it’s about survival.