Mangaluru: 74-year-old man cheated of Rs 1.77 crore in American commodities investment scam
Mangaluru: A 74-year-old man from the city has allegedly been cheated of Rs 1.77 crore in an online investment scam linked to American commodities trading, Deccan Herald reported on Thursday.
According to the complaint, the victim received a phone call on December 24 last year from a person who identified himself as Shoib Ghauri from a firm named Ventrade.
The caller allegedly promised high returns through investments in American commodities markets and assured that funds transferred in Indian rupees would be converted into US dollars and invested on the victim’s behalf.
Police said the accused remained in contact with the victim through email, WhatsApp, and phone calls. Initially, the complainant invested a small amount and received some returns in his bank account, which increased his confidence in the scheme.
Convinced by the assurances and expecting higher gains, he subsequently transferred larger amounts through RTGS, NEFT, and IMPS to bank accounts provided by the accused.
Between January 5 and February 2, the victim transferred a total of Rs 1,77,64,668.22 to the specified accounts, police said. When the promised returns stopped and communication became irregular, he realised he had been cheated.
A case has been registered at the CEN Police Station in Mangaluru, and further investigation is under way.
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Hubballi: Gym trainer assaulted; police say clash due to personal reasons
Hubballi: A gym trainer was allegedly assaulted by a group of people following accusations of sexual assault and ‘love jihad’, even as both families involved in the case traded serious allegations.
According to police, a group of individuals went to the residence of Sameer Mulla, a resident of Vijayanagar, and questioned him over his friendship with a woman he had met at a gym. The situation escalated into a clash, during which he was allegedly dragged away and assaulted. He sustained minor injuries and was admitted to KIMS hospital.
N. Shashikumar said that after this incident, members from Sameer’s side went to the woman’s house, leading to another clash in which one person was injured. “It was wrong for groups to go near houses. We will take necessary legal action,” he said, adding that the incident appears to have arisen from personal reasons. Police have taken some individuals into custody and are investigating the matter.
Sameer Mulla was reportedly thrashed by a group of Sangh Parivar activists and later handed over to police at the Old Hubballi Police Station after relatives of the woman and members of Hindu organisations gathered at his residence in Rajnagar.
The woman’s family alleged assault and threats from Sameer’s relatives at their Vikas Nagar residence.
Meanwhile, Sameer’s family denied the allegations and accused the woman’s relatives and others of assaulting and kidnapping him. His sister said the two had been in a relationship for three years and that the allegations were baseless.
Police said statements from both sides have been recorded, and a detailed investigation is underway. Sameer remains hospitalised, and appropriate legal action will be taken based on findings.
In a video statement shared on social media, the 20-year-old woman alleged that Sameer had given her an intoxicant, recorded videos without her consent, and sexually assaulted her. She lodged a complaint alleging rape and blackmail, which police are investigating.
In another video, Sameer denied the allegations, claiming the video was recorded with consent and that the accusations were made under pressure.
Former Hubballi-Dharwad Urban Development Authority (HDUDA) chairman Nagesh Kalburgi termed the incident a serious matter and urged police to take strict action.
Police said the case involves multiple complaints from both sides, and further investigation is underway.
