Mangaluru: In separate incidents of cyberfraud reported at Malpe police station, two residents, including a senior citizen, were allegedly cheated through fake online investment and trading schemes.A woman allegedly lost Rs 3.9 lakh in an online investment scam. In a complaint, Kavita P, 36, a resident of Badanidiyoor, said that on July 15, a person identifying herself as Divya Sharma contacted the complainant via Telegram, claiming to represent an NSE-related company. She sent promotional videos and asked the complainant to like them. Later, she introduced a ‘task-based’ investment scheme called share bidding and urged her to invest money. Believing the offer, the complainant made several transactions in phases from July 17 to 21. Based on her complaint, a case was registered under Sections 316(2), 318(4), and 112 of the BNS along with Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.Elderly man falls victim In yet another case of cyberfraud targeting the elderly, a 73-year-old resident of Kidiyoor in Malpe was duped of Rs 50,000 after being allegedly lured into a fake online stock trading scheme.In a complaint, Raghavendra Mattappa said that he received a phone call on June 5 from a woman identifying herself as Arohi Patil. She claimed to represent a company offering profitable stock trading opportunities and instructed him to download an app named 361HNW. Trusting her, the complainant made two transactions via the app using his bank account. He transferred Rs 25,000 on June 30 and another Rs 25,000 on July 14, both to an account number via IMPS.Later, on July 19, the accused called again, claiming that the complainant was allotted Rs 5.9 lakh worth of shares through an IPO and demanded an additional Rs 2 lakh to release the amount. She also falsely promised to help secure a special loan for the balance. The complainant grew suspicious and, upon verification, realised it was a fraudulent company. Based on the complaint, a case was registered invoking Sections 316(2), 316(4), 112 of the BNS 2023, and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act.
