Mangaluru woman loses Rs 45.10 lakh in investment fraud

Mangaluru: A 48-year-old woman has lodged a complaint at the CEN Station in Mangaluru after being cheated of Rs 45,10,000 in an online investment fraud.

According to the complaint, the victim on August 2 received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number containing a link related to investments. On clicking the link, she was added to a WhatsApp group named F9 Indian Market Forum. The group shared stock market advertisements and directed members to register on an application called CERBER INV through another link.

The victim registered on the app using her name, mobile number, and email ID. Soon after, she was added to another group titled Investment Alliance Elite Group B3. In the new group, members were persuaded to “recharge” the app to make investments and earn higher profits. She was asked to contact “Riya” , who provided multiple bank account details for money transfers.

Between September 9 and September 25, the complainant transferred a total of Rs 45.10 lakh in several installments to different bank accounts as instructed. On September 25, she was further pressured to pay an additional Rs 33 lakh. Sensing something was wrong, she attempted to contact the numbers from the group, only to realise she had been defrauded.

A case has been registered, and investigations are under way.