Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru / Udupi/ Brahmavar
Mangaluru/Udupi, Dec 23: A series of online cheating and cyber fraud cases, involving fake investment schemes, stock market trading traps and fraudulent online purchases, have been reported from Mangaluru, Udupi and Brahmavar, with victims collectively losing over Rs 1.01 crore.
Fake stock trading scheme costs man Rs 85.68 lac in Mangaluru
In this major cyber fraud, a case has been registered at the Cyber Crime police station, Mangaluru, after a man was allegedly cheated of Rs 85,68,387 through a fake online stock market investment scheme.
According to the complaint, the victim came across a link to an online stock market trading class while browsing Instagram and joined it. On October 31, his mobile number was added to a WhatsApp group.
A woman identifying herself as Kavya, claiming to be an assistant, began posting messages and advertisements in the group, assuring members that they could double their money through stock investments. To build trust, the complainant initially invested a small amount and received minor profits.
Encouraged by this, the victim invested money in stages between November 11 and December 9, eventually transferring Rs 85,68,387. When he was later asked to invest more money on December 10, he instead demanded the return of his investment.
At this stage, the accused allegedly insisted that he pay service tax charges to withdraw the funds.
Sensing fraud, the complainant refused to pay further and later realised that he had been cheated, following which he lodged a complaint.
Police have registered a case and taken up further investigation.
Udupi youth duped while buying graphic card via FB ad
In a separate case highlighting the risks of online shopping fraud, a 23-year-old youth from Udupi was allegedly cheated of Rs 55,000 while attempting to purchase a computer graphic card online.
According to the complaint, Anirudh Rao (23) of Ambalapady in Udupi taluk came across an advertisement titled “Cheapest PC Parts in India by Kryptonix Gamiy” on a Facebook group. After clicking on the advertisement, he placed an order for a graphic card.
An unknown person later contacted him via WhatsApp and instructed him to transfer the payment. Acting on this, Anirudh transferred Rs 55,000 through UPI on December 17. However, despite receiving the payment, the accused neither delivered the product nor refunded the amount.
Based on the complaint, Udupi Town police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, and further investigation is under way.
Woman cheated of Rs 15.95 lac in online investment scam at Brahmavar
A case has been registered at the Brahmavar police station after a woman was allegedly cheated of Rs 15.95 lac under the guise of an online investment and digital marketing scheme.
According to the complaint, an Instagram account belonging to Aruna Acharya (30) of Kumragodu village received an advertisement related to digital marketing in the name of a company on July 22, 2024. Showing interest, Aruna contacted the mobile number mentioned in the advertisement.
The accused allegedly contacted him via WhatsApp, offering training and guidance on investing money to earn high returns. Initially, the accused paid attractive profits on small investments, which created confidence in the scheme.
Trusting the promises, Aruna transferred money in phases from her bank accounts to the accounts provided by the accused between September 2024 and December 19, 2024, investing a total of Rs 15,95,005.90. However, the accused allegedly failed to return either the principal amount or the promised returns, leading to the complaint.
Police have registered a case and are investigating.
Police have once again urged the public to exercise extreme caution while responding to online advertisements, investment offers and trading schemes, warning that fraudsters often use social media platforms, messaging apps and fake profit demonstrations to lure victims into cyber scams.