Haveri, India — A 38-year-old advocate in Karnataka fell victim to a sophisticated scam that involved cybercriminals duping him of approximately ₹6 lakh through a fake investment opportunity. The scammers lured him into investing in a fraudulent scheme centered on Trump Hotels, promising substantial returns on his contributions.
The scheme utilized an AI-generated video featuring a digital representation of former U.S. President Donald Trump, effectively captivating the lawyer’s attention. Following his discovery of this investment opportunity on YouTube in January, he engaged with the content, which directed him to download a mobile application that appeared legitimate.
Once onboard, the advocate was prompted to complete a registration form which required his bank account details and IFSC code. According to police reports, he initially invested ₹1,500 to activate his account and was enticed by the promise of a daily return of 3 percent. Enjoying what seemed like profitable returns at first, he further invested, hoping to magnify his earnings.
Between January 25 and April 4, the advocate transferred a total of ₹5,93,240 across various bank accounts, UPI IDs, and digital wallets as he responded to the scammers’ ongoing solicitations for funds. However, the influx of returns soon stopped, leaving him unable to retrieve his funds.
The case was reported on May 6 at the Haveri Central Crime Police Station. Authorities have since launched an investigation under the Information Technology Act and relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses cheating.
During their inquiry, officers uncovered that the victim was ensnared through a malicious link meant to deceive users. Consequently, authorities froze ₹1.5 lakh in the bank account to which the funds were redirected.
As the investigation continues, police have advised the public to exercise caution and to refrain from clicking on suspicious links. They reported that scams involving deceitful websites and investment schemes have led to significant financial losses across the nation. Citizens are encouraged to remain vigilant and skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true, especially when linked to unfamiliar entities.
This incident highlights the growing menace of online financial fraud, underscoring the need for increased public awareness and caution.
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