In a chilling reminder of the sophistication of modern digital scams, a now-defunct app named Trump Hotel Rental has defrauded over 200 residents across Karnataka. Victims were lured with AI-generated images of former US President Donald Trump and promised hefty short-term returns under the guise of a luxury hotel investment platform.
The app falsely projected itself as an international hotel rental venture, gaining traction via social media ads and word of mouth. The illusion of legitimacy was built using Trump’s likeness and flashy dashboards reflecting fake profits. Victims believed they were investing in a global real-estate opportunity backed by cutting-edge AI.
How the Scam Worked: From Small Gains to Vanishing Funds
Victims were required to register on the app with a fee of around ₹1,500. Some received small initial payouts—₹500 or daily profits like ₹30—to win their trust. Their dashboards were designed to show increasing balances, and they were allowed limited withdrawals to create a sense of reliability.
However, as users began investing larger sums—some even reaching into lakhs—the app stopped functioning. Complaints reveal the platform vanished overnight, leaving no trace of its promoters or digital presence. One Bengaluru-based lawyer reported investing ₹6 lakh over four months and was even asked to pay “taxes” on fake earnings.
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Police sources revealed that the scam followed a pyramid-style scheme, promising increased returns as more money was poured in. The scam also assigned fake work-from-home jobs like content writing and profile creation to bolster the illusion of legitimate earnings.
Police Action and Cyber Warnings Amid Growing Threat
As of now, at least 15 formal complaints have been filed in Haveri district alone, though authorities fear the actual number of victims is much higher. Inspector SR Ganachari of the Cybercrime, Economic Offences, and Narcotics (CEN) unit confirmed that digital evidence is being examined and the app’s infrastructure has been dismantled.
Districts like Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Haveri, Hubballi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Ballari, and Bidar were among the worst affected.
Authorities have warned that similar scams may resurface under new branding. Cybersecurity experts advise citizens to remain cautious of apps offering unrealistic returns and to avoid downloading unfamiliar applications promoted on social media. The Department of Telecom is also expected to issue further advisories.