Udupi: A man was allegedly cheated of nearly Rs 57.7 lakh after being lured into investing in an AI-based trading platform through a Facebook advertisement and WhatsApp group.The complainant stated that he came across a video advertisement on Facebook and contacted the mobile number provided in it. He was informed that investing in a platform would yield high returns. Subsequently, unknown persons added him to a WhatsApp group named ‘Manav Verma’.On Sept 17, 2025, an unidentified individual contacted him via WhatsApp call and encouraged him to invest in the stock market, promising high profits. Messages reinforcing the same were also sent to him on WhatsApp.Believing the claims, the complainant transferred money from his bank account to various bank accounts provided by the accused through NEFT and RTGS, as instructed in the WhatsApp group. Between Dec 2, 2025, and Feb 9 this year, he allegedly transferred Rs 57.7 lakh. However, the accused neither returned the invested amount nor provided any profits, thereby cheating the complainant.Based on the complaint, a case has been registered at the CEN crime police station under the IT Act and the BNS.
