Fake Trump app scams Karnataka investors of over ₹1 crore

A widespread digital fraud has shaken several districts in Karnataka, where more than 150 people were tricked out of upwards of ₹1 crore. The scam involved imposters exploiting the name and likeness of former US President Donald Trump to deceive victims.

As reported by the Deccan Herald, cities affected include Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, and Haveri. The con artists promoted an app called Trump Hotel Rental, promising to double investments and deliver hefty profits. To gain trust, they even used AI-generated videos featuring Trump himself.

“Victims were lured with promises of high returns and work-from-home jobs. In Haveri alone, over 15 people have fallen prey,” explained Shivashankar R Ganachari, inspector with the Cybercrime, Economics, and Narcotics (CEN) unit in Haveri.

One victim shared losing more than ₹1 lakh after initially paying ₹1,500 to set up an account and completing tasks like writing company profiles. “Every task completion showed our balance growing on the dashboard, but it was all fabricated,” the victim revealed.

Many affected individuals have reported the scam to police, requesting assistance to retrieve their funds. Authorities caution the public to verify online investment offers thoroughly. Investigations into the fraudulent network are ongoing.

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