Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi
Udupi, Sept 4: In a significant breakthrough against cybercrime, Udupi District Police have cracked two high-profile online trading scams, arresting six suspects across districts and recovering Rs 6 lac in cash along with multiple mobile phones used to dupe investors. The cases reveal the alarming rise of sophisticated frauds exploiting fake trading platforms and social media networks.
In the first case, 51-year-old Teertharaj Shenoy of Perampalli Ambagilu, Udupi, fell prey to scammers who lured him via Telegram groups named Capital Gains Crew and Fidility Institutional Partners F-101.
Persuaded by promises of hefty stock market returns, Shenoy transferred a staggering Rs 44 lac from his and his mother’s accounts between December 19, 2024, and January 7, 2025. When the returns never materialised, Shenoy alerted the Udupi Cyber Economic and Narcotics (CEN) Police.
Acting swiftly on directives from superintendent of police Hariram Shankar, IPS, additional SP Sudhakar Nayak, and DySP Dr Harsha Priyamvada, IPS, a specialised police team led by inspector Ramachandra Nayak apprehended two accused: Shoeb Ahmed (28) and Muddasir Ahmed (40), both from Rahmat Mohalla, Hunsur, Mysuru district.
Police seized Rs 2 lac cash and incriminating mobile devices from the duo, while other suspects remain at large.
In a second sting, 54-year-old Jossy Ravindra D’Cruz from Shankarpura, Kapu, was conned after befriending a woman named Arohi Agarwal on Facebook. She convinced him via WhatsApp to invest in FXCM Gold Trading promising lucrative returns. Trusting her, D’Cruz transferred Rs 75 lac in several instalments before realising he had been duped.
Following a detailed investigation, a special police team arrested four men allegedly involved: Mohammed Kais (20) of Prem Nagar, Kodikere village, Surathkal; Ahmed Anveez (20) from Manjatota, Hejamadi; Safwan (30) and Taseer (31), both from Bantwal taluk. Authorities recovered Rs 4 lac in cash and mobile phones used in the fraud. The remaining masterminds behind the scam are still evading arrest.
These successful operations send a strong message against the growing menace of cyber fraud, urging investors to exercise caution and verify before committing funds to online trading schemes.