Udupi, September 4, 2025: Henry D. Almeida (69), a resident of Udupi, has fallen victim to an online investment scam, losing a staggering ₹1,32,90,000 between July 22, 2025, and September 1, 2025. The scam began when Almeida came across an investment trading advertisement on Facebook on July 19, 2025. Clicking the ad led him to a website, in.*******-***.*om, and he subsequently received messages on WhatsApp urging him to invest in trading.

A person identifying themselves as Ankita Ghosh contacted Almeida, providing information about investment opportunities and adding him to a 725 B*B C**S WhatsApp group. The group contained messages from various numbers promising high returns on investments. Trusting these claims, Almeida contacted the 725 B*B C**S customer care service via WhatsApp, where he was provided with multiple bank account details for transferring funds.

Over the period from July 22, 2025, to September 1, 2025, Almeida transferred a total of ₹1,32,90,000 in phases to the provided accounts, believing he would receive profits. However, neither the invested amount nor any returns were provided, and Almeida realized he had been deceived, resulting in significant financial loss.

The Udupi CEN (Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics) Crime Police Station has registered a case under Crime No. 46/2025, invoking Sections 66(C) and 66(D) of the IT Act and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and identity theft through digital means. The police are investigating the incident.

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