A shocking case of financial fraud has emerged from Mangaluru, where a former lecturer was systematically cheated out of a massive sum of Rs 85.68 lakh in a sophisticated share market investment scam. The incident, reported on 24 December 2025, highlights the growing menace of online financial fraud targeting educated individuals.
The Modus Operandi of the Fraud
The victim, a former lecturer, was allegedly lured into investing in the share market by the accused. Over a period, he transferred the enormous amount, believing he was making legitimate investments for high returns. The fraudsters employed convincing tactics to gain his trust, presenting what seemed like professional trading platforms and opportunities.
However, the situation took an even more audacious turn when the victim sought to withdraw his invested capital. Instead of returning his money, the accused presented a new, unexpected demand. They asked the former lecturer to pay an additional 'service tax' to facilitate the release of his own funds. This demand for an extra payment to access his money revealed the true nature of the scheme as a complete scam, designed to extract ever more money from the victim.
Legal Action and Complaint
Realising he had been swindled, the former lecturer approached the authorities. A formal complaint was lodged detailing the entire fraudulent transaction. The case underscores a common pattern in such scams, where fraudsters not only take the initial investment but also invent subsequent fees, taxes, or charges to bleed the victim further, exploiting their desperation to recover their original sum.
A Warning to Investors
This distressing incident serves as a severe cautionary tale for anyone engaging in online investments, especially in volatile domains like the stock market. Investors are advised to exercise extreme diligence and to only use platforms registered with official regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Key takeaways from this fraud case include:
- Be wary of unsolicited investment advice or offers promising unusually high returns.
- Never transfer large sums to unverified individuals or entities.
- Legitimate agencies will never ask for additional "taxes" or "fees" to release your own invested capital.
- Always verify the credentials of any financial advisor or trading platform independently.
The Mangaluru police are investigating the case, and this incident adds to the growing list of sophisticated financial frauds plaguing the region, calling for greater public awareness and stricter cyber-policing.
