Mangaluru: A 44-year-old former lecturer was allegedly cheated of over Rs 85.6 lakh by unidentified fraudsters who lured him into fake online share market investment schemes through social media.According to police, while browsing Instagram, he came across a link offering online training classes in share market investments and registered through it. Subsequently, on Oct 31, his mobile number was added to a WhatsApp group. A woman identifying herself as Kavya introduced herself as an assistant working with the company. Through messages posted in the group, the accused promoted share market investments, stock purchases, and sales, claiming that investors could double their money. Influenced by these messages, the victim decided to invest in the share market.He was then instructed to download mobile applications and to register by providing his name and personal details, which he did. After making initial stock purchases, he received small amounts as profit, which further encouraged him to invest more. Between Nov 11 and Dec 9, he allegedly transferred Rs 85.6 lakh to bank accounts specified by the accused through UPI and NEFT.On Dec 10, when he requested the return of his invested amount, the accused demanded payment of a service tax. Becoming suspicious, he did not make any further payments. He later realised that he had been cheated. A case was registered at CEN Crime police station.Man duped of Rs 15.9L in fake e-commerce investment scamUdupi: A man from Brahmavar was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 16 lakh after being lured into a fraudulent e-commerce and digital marketing investment scheme advertised on Instagram.The complainant, Arun Acharya, 30, from Brahmavar, received an advertisement on his Instagram account on July 22, 2024, offering information on e-commerce, digital marketing, and dropshipping. Interested in the offer, the complainant contacted the mobile number provided in the advertisement. The accused subsequently communicated with him via WhatsApp, offering training on how to invest money and earn profits. Initially, the complainant was paid high returns on the money he invested, which led him to trust the scheme.Believing the claims, the complainant invested further amounts between Sept 2024 and Dec 19, 2024, transferring a total of Rs 15.9 lakh in a phased manner through NEFT from his bank accounts to the bank accounts of the company. However, after receiving the money, the accused allegedly failed to return either the promised profits or the invested amount, thereby cheating the complainant.Based on the complaint, Brahmavar police have registered a case under Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.
