Telegram Scam Dupes Woman of ₹2.3 Lakh in Mangaluru

A woman in Mangaluru has fallen victim to a Telegram-based online scam, losing ₹2.30 lakh, prompting a police complaint at Kavoor police station.

The fraud was carried out via a fake Telegram group named “Cold Winter”, which promised commissions for liking Instagram reels and high returns on investments.

On June 14, the woman was added to the group and instructed to like Instagram reels, take screenshots, and send them to a designated Telegram account. She was initially paid ₹150, creating a false sense of authenticity.

Encouraged by this, the victim was coaxed into investing, starting with ₹4,500. She was added to another group where promises of 10% returns on further investments were made. Between June 14 and 16, a total of ₹2.30 lakh was transferred from her and her friend’s accounts.

When communication ceased and no returns materialized, she realized she had been duped. A case has been registered, and police have launched an investigation.