Mangaluru: A 32-year-old businessman lodged a complaint alleging that unknown persons cheated him of over Rs 1.3 crore by luring him with promises of high returns through online share market investment, after initially contacting him on WhatsApp under the pretext of purchasing home décor items.The complainant stated that on Dec 15 last year, a person identifying herself as Rishita contacted him through WhatsApp, enquiring about purchasing carpets and home decorative items from the complainant’s company. Accordingly, the complainant shared photographs of his company’s carpets and home decorative items on WhatsApp. Two days later, the same person began sending messages related to the online stock market, claiming that investing money in the stock market would yield high returns. The complainant agreed to invest in the stock market and clicked on the link sent by the said person. After entering his name and address on the website, the complainant transferred money to the bank accounts specified by them through RTGS and NEFT transactions. Between Dec 17 and Jan 14, 2026, the complainant allegedly transferred Rs 1.3 crore. On Jan 15, when the complainant requested withdrawal of the invested amount along with the profits earned, the unknown persons demanded payment of service tax to process the withdrawal. Suspecting fraud, the complainant did not make any further payments. Subsequently, upon discussing the matter with his friends, the complainant realised that he had been cheated. A case was registered at the CEN Crime Police Station. Woman loses Rs 48.9LIn another case, a 58-year-old woman stated that on Nov 12, 2025, an unknown person contacted her through WhatsApp and explained online investment schemes, claiming that she could earn high returns by investing money. Believing these assurances, the complainant, in a phased manner, transferred a total amount of Rs 48.9 lakh between Nov 12 and 24, 2025, to several bank accounts and UPI ID numbers provided by the unknown person, through IMPS and UPI transactions. Later, when the complainant requested the return of the invested amount, the unknown persons insisted that she invest additional money and pay various processing charges. As the complainant did not have further funds, she requested the return of the money already invested. However, the unknown persons neither returned any part of the invested amount nor processed the withdrawal. A case was registered at CEN Crime police station.
