Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, Oct 11: A 23-year-old woman from Udupi has reportedly lost over Rs 1 lac after falling victim to an online job scam. She was allegedly promised employment as an assistant designer with an Indian streaming service platform.

According to the complaint, the accused posed as a company representative, conducted a fake interview, issued forged offer letters, and collected money from the victim under various pretexts, including membership fees, travel insurance, and accommodation charges.

The woman, a resident of Santhekatte, stated that on September 19 at around 3:30 pm, a person identifying himself as Shivam Daggubati contacted her by phone, claiming to represent the company. He then conducted what he said was a first-round interview. A week later, she received an offer letter requiring her to obtain a membership from the Film Costume Designers Associate by paying Rs 2,800, which she transferred on September 24.

On October 1, 2025, she received an appointment letter by email instructing her to pay Rs 48,500 for a travel insurance certificate. She allegedly transferred that amount, along with an additional Rs 1,500 through a QR scanner on the same day.

When she inquired about accommodation, the accused demanded Rs 47,200. She claimed to have transferred Rs 25,000 on October 3 and the remaining Rs 22,200 on October 4.

The accused later asked her to pay Rs 1.15 lac towards further travel insurance costs, warning that failure to do so would result in the loss of her job offer. Realising she had been defrauded, the complainant demanded a refund of Rs 1.05 lac, but received neither the money nor the promised job.

A case has been registered at the Udupi Town police station under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act.