Immigration officer loses Rs 79 lakh in cryptocurrency investment fraud
Mumbai (PTI): A 41-year-old immigration officer working at Malaysia's consulate general office in Mumbai has lost nearly Rs 79 lakh in a cryptocurrency investment scam, police said on Thursday.
The victim approached the police authorities around one-and-a-half years after the incident, citing severe mental stress and fear of social stigma, officials from the East Region Cyber Police said.
In January 2024, the officer was added to a WhatsApp group named "EG Plan", which regularly shared information about share trading. With basic knowledge of stock trading, he found the group's posts convincing. Acting on the instructions in the group, he registered on a company website and began investing, an official said.
Over the time, he transferred the money into more than 18 different bank accounts via online transactions and RTGS. Initially, he received Rs 1.69 lakh as returns, which increased his confidence in the scheme. Between April 2024 and June 2025, he invested approximately Rs 78.85 lakh in what he believed was cryptocurrency trading, he added.
When he attempted to withdraw his investment and profits, the fraudsters allegedly demanded an additional Rs 18 lakh as "processing fee". But after he refused to pay, all the communication was cut off.
He later informed his bank, which advised him to approach the police.
Based on his complaint, a case was registered against 10 unidentified individuals under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating and relevant sections of the Information Technology Act.
Police are currently tracing the bank accounts where the funds were transferred and identifying the account holders, the official said, adding that investigation was underway.
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Karnataka School Edu Dept prohibits children from being made to dance to obscene songs
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka School Education Department has issued a circular strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs in educational and cultural programmes.
It stated that such dances would negatively impact students' mental health and moral values. It will create indiscipline and harm the sanctity of education.
"All the Deputy Directors (Administration) of the state's School Education Department have been asked to take strict measures to prevent children or students from dancing to obscene songs in all government, aided and unaided schools in the state," the office of the commissioner of the School Education Department said in a recent circular.
"If it is found that children are being made to dance to obscene songs, appropriate action will be taken against the headmaster or management of such school," it added.
The department also listed certain measures in this regard, which include: strictly prohibiting children from being made to dance to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes; selecting songs that are inspiring, positive, instilling national pride in children and reflecting the greatness, dignity, values, culture, and morality of the state.
Stating that the school headmaster and management are responsible for selecting songs and dances for cultural programmes, it said, they should also ensure that students wear decent clothes in dance or cultural programmes.
