Udupi: A 48-year-old man from Belman village in Karkala taluk has allegedly lost Rs 4.35 lakh after falling victim to an online fraud involving an electric car advertised for sale on Facebook.

The complainant, Balakrishna Rao, had responded to the advertisement in the hope of purchasing the vehicle. However, despite transferring the money in multiple transactions, he did not receive the car or get his money back.

Based on his complaint, Karkala Rural Police have registered a case against an unidentified person under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

Facebook advertisement leads to contact with seller

According to the complaint, the incident began on August 20, 2026, when Rao came across a Facebook advertisement offering an electric car for sale.

Interested in buying the vehicle, he shared his mobile number with the advertiser. He subsequently received a phone call from a person who identified himself as Ravichandra and claimed to be a doctor residing in Chikkamagaluru district.

The caller reportedly offered to sell the electric car for Rs 4.5 lakh and shared a location with Rao. Believing the offer to be genuine, Rao proceeded with the payments requested by the person.

Rs 4.35 lakh transferred in multiple transactions

The complaint states that Rao transferred money through UPI and RTGS over three days.

On August 20, he made an initial UPI payment of Rs 45,000. The following day, August 21, he transferred Rs 3 lakh through RTGS to a bank account provided by the alleged seller and made another UPI payment of Rs 45,000.

On August 22, Rao transferred a further Rs 45,000.

The total amount paid was Rs 4.35 lakh, bringing him close to the quoted price of Rs 4.5 lakh. After making the payments, Rao expected to collect the vehicle as agreed with the caller.

Seller allegedly gives excuses after payment

After transferring the money, Rao travelled to Mathikere in Chikkamagaluru district, following the location provided by the caller, to take delivery of the electric car.

However, the person was reportedly not present at the location.

When Rao contacted him, the caller allegedly claimed that he was in Virajpet and that the vehicle had broken down because its battery had run out of charge.

The caller reportedly assured Rao that the car would be repaired at a showroom within a week and that a driver would deliver it afterwards.

Despite the assurance, the vehicle was never delivered. Rao also did not receive a refund of the amount he had transferred.

Suspecting that he had been cheated, Rao approached the police and lodged a complaint, alleging that the unidentified person had obtained Rs 4.35 lakh from him under the pretext of selling an electric car.

Karkala Rural Police register case

Based on the complaint, Karkala Rural Police registered a case under Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act, which deals with cheating by personation using a computer resource or communication device, and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which addresses cheating that results in the dishonest inducement to deliver property.

The case concerns an alleged online vehicle-sale fraud in which the complainant paid the seller in advance but did not receive the promised vehicle.

The identity and whereabouts of the alleged accused have not been established in the information provided. Further investigation will be required to determine the circumstances of the transactions and trace the person responsible.

The incident highlights the risks associated with online vehicle advertisements, particularly when buyers transfer substantial sums before verifying the seller, the vehicle and the arrangements for its delivery.