Over 150 Duped of Rs 1 Crore in Karnataka with fake app named after Donald Trump

Mangalore Today News Network

Bengaluru, May 25, 2025: In a major online scam that has rocked multiple districts across Karnataka, over 150 people have reportedly been duped of more than Rs 1 crore by fraudsters who falsely used the name and image of former US President Donald Trump to lure victims.

According to a report by the Deccan Herald, the scam spanned cities including Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, and Haveri. Victims were enticed through an app called Trump Hotel Rental, which promised to double their investments and offer lucrative returns. The fraudsters even circulated an AI-generated video featuring the former US President to build credibility and convince people to invest.

“Victims who fell into the fraudsters’ trap were promised rich rewards for their investment, besides opportunities to work from home. In Haveri alone, more than 15 such people have been swindled,” said Shivashankar R Ganachari, inspector of the Cybercrime Economics and Narcotics (CEN) unit in Haveri, speaking to a media.

One of the victims, who lost more than Rs 1 lakh, recounted how they were initially asked to pay Rs 1,500 to create an account and then complete tasks such as writing company profiles. “Each completed task appeared to increase the amount of money displayed on our dashboard, but it was all fake,” the victim said.

Several of those affected have now approached local police, seeking help to recover their lost funds. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious and verify the authenticity of online investment platforms. Investigations are currently underway.