A 25 year old man from Mysuru has lost more than Rs 14 lakh to cyber fraud after clicking on a link sent by a friend on WhatsApp and investing money through an online platform that later blocked his access and prevented him from withdrawing any returns.
The victim, identified as Rajesh, with his name changed, is a resident of Siddalingeshwara Nagar in Vijayanagar 3rd Stage. The fraud began after he received a message from a friend on April 4 claiming he could earn good profit by investing money and playing a few games through a platform called T10 Exchange.
How the Investment Trap Began
Believing the message, Rajesh registered on the T10 Exchange platform using his username and password and began investing money. He also shared his bank account number and PhonePe details with the cyber criminals during the process.
The message appeared to come through a familiar source, which may have lowered suspicion and encouraged him to trust the platform. What began as a seemingly routine referral from a friend soon turned into a sustained financial loss over several weeks.
The case reflects a common pattern in cyber fraud where personal trust is used as the entry point before victims are drawn into high return promises and repeated deposits.
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More Than Rs 14 Lakh Invested Over Weeks
From April 6 to May 19, Rajesh invested a total of Rs 14.39 lakh. According to the report, the money was transferred over time as he continued to put funds into the platform, apparently believing that profit would follow.
Trouble surfaced when he attempted to withdraw the returns. He was unable to do so, and his login was also blocked. His bank account was lien marked, adding another layer of difficulty when he tried to understand what had happened to his money.
By the time he contacted his bank, he was informed that money from his account had been transferred to various bank accounts, indicating that the funds had already been dispersed.
Complaint Filed Through Cyber Helpline
After realising that he had been cheated, Rajesh contacted the Cyber Crime Helpline 1930 and lodged a complaint. The report does not specify whether any money has been recovered or whether any suspects have been identified.
The case underlines how fraud linked to online investment and gaming style platforms can escalate quickly once victims begin sharing account credentials and payment details. It also shows how cybercriminals exploit trust, familiarity and the promise of easy returns to draw victims into repeated transactions.
With the complaint now lodged, the matter has entered the cybercrime reporting system, but the loss in this case stands as another warning about links, platforms and financial requests that appear credible only because they arrive through a known contact.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
