Daijiworld Media Network – Bengaluru

Bengaluru, May 26: An elaborate online scam using the name and image of US President Donald Trump has defrauded over 150 people across Karnataka, with total losses exceeding Rs 1 crore.

According to a report in Deccan Herald, a fraudulent app titled Trump Hotel Rental, promised high returns and work-from-home opportunities, duping residents in cities like Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, and Haveri. To make the scheme appear credible, the scammers circulated an AI-generated video featuring Trump himself.

Victims were lured with offers to double their investments. Initial sign-ups required a Rs 1,500 payment, after which users were assigned fake tasks such as writing company profiles. As users completed these tasks, their app dashboards displayed increasing amounts, none of which could be withdrawn.

In Haveri alone, at least 15 people were tricked by the scheme. Shivashankar R Ganachari, inspector of the Cybercrime, Economics and Narcotics (CEN) unit, confirmed that complaints have been received and investigations are ongoing.

Police have urged the public to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of any online investment or work-from-home offer, especially those claiming high returns using globally recognizable figures.