Udupi: A 25-year-old youth from Malpe has reportedly lost ₹5.7 lakh to an elaborate online fraud conducted through the Telegram messaging application. Police confirmed that the case has been registered at the Malpe Police Station under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Information Technology Act.
Fraud begins with work-from-home offer
According to officials, the incident started on August 24, when the victim received a message from an individual identifying herself as Poonam. She allegedly offered him the opportunity to earn money by working from home, convincing him to share his personal and banking details.
He was subsequently added to a Telegram group and told that each completed task would fetch him ₹20. After completing 10 tasks, he received ₹900 in his bank account, which made the offer appear genuine.
Gradual investment trap
Shortly thereafter, the victim was told he could earn higher returns by making small investments. He transferred ₹5,000 and ₹2,000 on separate occasions, after which ₹9,100 was credited back to his account. This further boosted his confidence in the scheme.
Over the next three days, two other handlers, identifying themselves as Roojani and Krishna, guided him through additional steps and convinced him to transfer more money.
By August 27, the victim had transferred a total of ₹5.7 lakh, only to realise later that he had been duped.
Police register cybercrime case
Following the complaint, a case was registered under Sections 316(2), 318(4), 112 of the BNS 2023 and Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deal with cheating, impersonation, and cyber fraud.
Authorities are investigating the matter and tracking digital footprints to identify the perpetrators.
Rising trend in cyber scams
Police have cautioned citizens to be wary of work-from-home offers, particularly those shared through messaging apps like Telegram, WhatsApp, or social media platforms. Fraudsters often credit small amounts initially to gain the victim’s trust, before luring them into transferring larger sums.
Experts suggest verifying the source of any online job offer, avoiding sharing sensitive banking details, and reporting suspicious activity immediately.
Conclusion
With an increasing number of young people being targeted through digital platforms, cyber vigilance is now more critical than ever. The Malpe case serves as a reminder that lucrative online offers often come with hidden risks, and awareness is key to preventing financial losses.