Haveri Man Duped of ₹6 Lakh in Fake “Trump Hotel” Investment Scam
A 35-year-old resident from Karnataka’s Haveri district lost close to ₹6 lakh after falling victim to a fraudulent online investment scheme promising to double returns. The scam operated under the name “Trump Hotel Rental.”
As per a statement from the Haveri district police, the victim, Anil Bendre, encountered a promotional video on YouTube between January and April. The video, titled “Trump Hotel Rental – Double Your Money”, included a link that redirected him to a suspicious website. The site lured him into registering and investing funds with the promise of receiving daily profits.
Anil initially paid ₹1,500 via UPI to activate his account. Encouraged by the illusion of growing virtual earnings, he made several more transfers. Over time, he invested ₹5.93 lakh from his wife’s bank account, sending money to multiple bank and wallet accounts provided by the scammers.
Despite the site’s flashy interface and assurance of high returns, Anil did not receive any actual profits or a refund. Realizing he had been scammed, he reported the matter to the Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) police in Haveri.
Authorities have registered a case under applicable sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. During the probe, investigators managed to freeze ₹1.5 lakh in one of the suspect’s accounts. Further inquiry is ongoing.
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