Mangaluru. A 42-year-old man in Mangaluru, Karnataka, was allegedly duped of ₹3,81,300 after unidentified fraudsters told him that he had won a ₹8 lakh prize in the Kerala Lottery. The accused allegedly convinced him to make multiple payments in the name of tax required to release the prize money. After receiving the money, they contacted him again and claimed that his lottery prize had doubled, demanding additional tax. The victim became suspicious and realised that he had been cheated before approaching the cybercrime helpline 1930.
According to the police, the victim received a call from an unidentified person on August 14. The caller allegedly told him that he had won ₹8 lakh in the Kerala Lottery and that he would have to pay tax before the prize could be credited to his account. Expecting to receive the substantial prize amount, the victim believed the caller and agreed to make the payment.
The accused subsequently sent payment scanners through WhatsApp. According to the complaint, the victim transferred a total of ₹3,81,300 in several instalments between August 15 and August 26 through Google Pay and PhonePe scanners shared by the fraudsters. Despite making the payments, he did not receive the promised ₹8 lakh lottery prize.
The accused later contacted him again and allegedly claimed that his lottery prize had doubled. They then demanded additional tax to release the increased prize amount. As the demands for further payments continued, the victim became suspicious. He eventually realised that the claim about winning the lottery had allegedly been used as a pretext to extract money from him.
After discovering the fraud, the victim immediately contacted the cybercrime helpline 1930. He subsequently approached the CEN Crime Police Station and lodged a complaint. Police have registered a case and begun an investigation to identify the accused.
Investigators are examining the mobile numbers used by the fraudsters, their WhatsApp communications and the bank accounts linked to the payment scanners sent to the victim. Police are also trying to trace the movement of the allegedly defrauded money and determine the accounts into which the funds were subsequently transferred.
The police are also examining whether an organised fraud network was involved in the incident. In lottery-related scams, fraudsters typically lure victims with the promise of a large prize and then demand money under various pretexts, including tax, processing fees, registration charges or verification costs. Once the first payment is made, the fraudsters often create new reasons to demand additional money.
Renowned cybercrime expert and former IPS officer Prof. Triveni Singh said lottery fraudsters often begin by convincing victims that they have won a large prize, creating both excitement and pressure to make an immediate payment. They then demand successive payments in the name of tax, verification, processing or prize release. One of the key warning signs is a demand for money before an alleged prize can be released. People should independently verify any lottery-related claim with the concerned organisation instead of relying on unsolicited calls or messages.
Cybercrime victims should report the incident immediately by calling 1930. Prompt reporting can help authorities coordinate with banks and digital payment platforms to attempt to stop or recover the transferred funds. Victims should also preserve payment screenshots, bank transaction details, phone numbers, WhatsApp messages and other digital evidence and provide them to the police during the investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
