Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 1: In two shocking cases of cyber fraud reported in Mangaluru, unsuspecting investors were cheated of a combined Rs 32.4 lac after being lured with promises of high returns — one via WhatsApp messages and another through a fake Facebook video featuring public figures.
In the first case, a senior citizen was duped of Rs 23.30 lac after receiving a WhatsApp message from an unknown number on August 16, which claimed to offer profitable stock market investment opportunities.
The message included a link to register on a mobile application called ‘S Securities’. Trusting the message, the complainant registered on the app and was subsequently contacted by strangers who explained the workings of the share market and encouraged phased investments.
Acting on their advice, the victim transferred funds in stages between August 22 and September 15, totalling Rs 23.30 lac. Trouble arose when the complainant attempted to withdraw the invested amount on September 20, only to be told that Rs 11,55,542 had to be paid upfront as taxes before any withdrawal.
Suspicion set in, and upon further enquiry, the victim realised it was a scam.
A complaint has been lodged at the CEN police station, and investigations are underway.
In a second, unrelated incident, a woman lost Rs 9.10 lac after falling prey to a fraudulent advertisement she encountered on Facebook on September 26. The video falsely featured noted philanthropist Sudha Murty and Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, seemingly endorsing a lucrative investment scheme.
Believing it to be genuine, the woman clicked on the embedded link and registered her details.
She soon received a phone call from an unidentified person who instructed her to make an initial payment of Rs 20,664. After the payment, she was directed to log into a website, following which another caller convinced her to invest more for higher returns. Trusting the process, she ended up transferring a total of Rs 9,10,664.
Despite repeated follow-ups, the promised returns never materialised. The woman has now filed a formal complaint at the Urwa police station, urging action against the culprits.
Police in both cases have confirmed that investigations are ongoing, and have cautioned the public against falling for high-return investment offers, especially those circulated on social media and messaging platforms.
"Fraudsters are increasingly using digital platforms to trap victims by impersonating credible individuals and offering unrealistic gains. Citizens must verify all sources before making any financial commitments," a senior police official stated.
Authorities are also working to trace the digital footprints of the accused in both cases. With financial cybercrimes on the rise, officials urge the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.