Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, March 7: Three separate incidents of cyber and online fraud have been reported in Mangaluru in recent weeks, resulting in losses exceeding Rs 42 lac. The cases involve mobile hacking, unauthorised bank transactions and an online trading scam.
In the first case, a 69-year-old retired bank employee lodged a complaint after unknown persons allegedly hacked her mobile phone and fraudulently transferred Rs 28.5 lac from her bank accounts through online transactions.
According to her complaint, around 9.30 pm on March 3, while at home, her mobile phone was allegedly hacked and she stopped receiving incoming calls. Shortly thereafter, she began receiving messages indicating that money had been debited from her accounts.
Upon checking, she found that Rs 28.5 lac had been withdrawn from four of her bank accounts without her knowledge. She immediately contacted the bank helpline and requested officials to freeze her bank accounts and ATM cards. She then reported the incident to the cybercrime helpline (1930). A case has been registered at the CEN Crime police station.
In another incident, a 32-year-old man filed a complaint alleging that unknown persons had withdrawn Rs 1.9 lac from his bank account through unauthorised transactions.
According to his complaint, at around 7 am last week, the SIM card in his mobile phone became inactive. Later, at 10 am, he visited the service provider’s office near Bunts Hostel and obtained a replacement SIM with the same number. Following instructions, he inserted the new SIM after four hours.
While attempting to activate the Google Pay application, he received an OTP but did not enter it. On March 2, at 4.04 am, he received SMS alerts indicating that money had been debited from his salary account at a bank in Pumpwell in multiple transactions. Verification of his bank statements showed further withdrawals on March 1.
He approached the bank to freeze his account and later contacted the 1930 cyber helpline. Initially, he did not lodge a police complaint, hoping the money would be refunded. As the amount was not credited back, he filed a police complaint. Mangaluru East Police registered the case.
In the third case, a 39-year-old man alleged he was cheated of Rs 12.5 lac by fraudsters who lured him into investing in an online trading platform promising high returns.
The complainant stated that he came across a trading-related advertisement on Facebook on December 15, 2025. He clicked the link, entered his details, and was later contacted via WhatsApp by a person identifying himself as Siddharth Vipul, who guided him on trading.
Following instructions, the complainant first invested Rs 21,000 on December 15 and Rs 48,000 on December 23. The website initially showed profits. Subsequently, the accused persuaded him to invest Rs 5 lac on January 14 in digital gold trading, and another Rs 5 lac on January 30, citing high face values in Nasdaq trading. Later, he transferred Rs 1.8 lac on February 3 under the pretext of securing profits.
After these transactions, the website displayed a balance of 76,528 USDT. However, the complainant was unable to withdraw the funds. When he contacted the accused, he was told to pay 15% tax on trading profits before withdrawal. He requested GST documents but none were provided, raising suspicion.
A case has been registered at Mangaluru Rural police.