Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru/Mangaluru
Bengaluru/Mangaluru, Jul 14: In two separate incidents of cyber fraud, a man from Bengaluru and a woman from Mangaluru lost over Rs 65 lac after falling prey to online scams involving fake cryptocurrency investments and work-from-home job offers.
In the first case, a 34-year-old resident of Ullal in western Bengaluru was duped of Rs 44.97 lac while searching for a partner on a matrimonial website. According to police, the victim, Sharan PS (name changed), had come across a profile named “Archana” on May 5 and began interacting with the alleged woman on WhatsApp.
Claiming to be a professional based in Germany, Archana gained Sharan’s trust and eventually convinced him to invest in a fake cryptocurrency platform, www.bitcoin-az.com. Initially transferring Rs 1.5 lac, Sharan was lured by the dashboard’s fake display of profits.
Encouraged by intimate chats and frequent communication, Sharan continued to transfer large sums between May 18 and June 23, depositing nearly Rs 45 lac across multiple bank accounts and UPI IDs. When he attempted to withdraw his funds, Archana demanded more money and then cut off contact. The West CEN Police have registered an FIR and launched a probe.
Meanwhile, in Mangaluru, a woman reportedly lost Rs 20.62 lac in a work-from-home scam after responding to an Instagram advertisement promoting part-time job opportunities.
According to a complaint filed at Bajpe Police Station, the victim was contacted via Telegram on May 6 and was asked to rate hotels and restaurants online, share screenshots, and complete seemingly simple digital tasks. She initially received Rs 120 as payment to build credibility.
She was then added to various Telegram groups and introduced to several individuals, including "Meena Reddy", "Rajesh Verma", "Rohit Sharma", "Lucky Singh", and "Ravi Patel". Over time, the scammers persuaded her to register on a trading platform and complete high-value tasks, gradually extracting large sums of money in the guise of investments and commissions.
After transferring Rs 20.62 lac in multiple transactions, the accused stopped all communication.
Both cases highlight the growing threat of sophisticated cyber scams targeting unsuspecting individuals through social media, dating platforms, and job portals. Police have urged the public to exercise caution and avoid sharing personal or financial information without proper verification. Investigations are underway in both cases.