Victim was lured via WhatsApp with promises of easy profit from illegal platforms like Cricket betting and Aviator games, police launch investigation into operators.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!HYDERABAD—A 32-year-old resident of Secunderabad has filed a police complaint after being defrauded of a massive sum of ₹75,00,000 (Seventy-Five Lakh Rupees) over a four-year period by operators running illegal online betting and casino platforms.
The victim was reportedly contacted in 2021 through WhatsApp and subsequently induced to engage in various online gambling activities, including Cricket betting, Teen Patti, Casino games, and the “Aviator” or “Flight” prediction game, all under the false promise of assured, easy financial returns.
The Anatomy of the Scam
The fraud followed a pattern commonly associated with these types of online financial crimes:
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Initial Enticement: The victim was initially persuaded to make a modest deposit of ₹10,000. This initial deposit yielded small, fabricated returns, successfully building trust and establishing the credibility of the operators.
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Escalation of Deposits: Once confidence was gained, the victim was convinced to invest increasingly larger sums. Between 2021 and 2025, the victim deposited the staggering sum of ₹75 lakh.
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Complex Transaction Network: The money was transferred through a complex web of transactions, utilizing multiple payment methods including:
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Bank-to-bank transfers
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Unified Payments Interface (UPI) IDs
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QR code payments
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Cash deposits via automated deposit machines The funds were distributed across various betting websites and accounts as directed by the fraudsters.
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The victim ultimately suffered heavy financial losses, leading to the formal complaint. The reported actions of the accused are being investigated under sections relating to cheating, cyber fraud, and the operation of illegal online betting platforms.
Police Issue Critical Public Advisory
Following the registration of the case, authorities have issued a critical advisory to the public, cautioning citizens against the rising threat of illegal online betting and casino scams:
“The public is hereby cautioned against illegal online betting and casino platforms offering assured or easy returns. These platforms are typically unregulated and illegal, and pose a severe financial risk.”
Key Fraud Tactics to Watch Out For:
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Initial Contact: Fraudsters frequently use WhatsApp, Telegram, SMS, or social media to initiate contact.
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Trust Building: They intentionally allow victims to gain small, initial profits to build confidence before persuading them to commit larger sums.
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Withdrawal Issues: Once significant funds are invested, attempts to withdraw the money are often blocked or perpetually delayed.
Citizen Safety Guidelines:
Citizens are strongly advised to take the following steps:
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Do Not Share Details: Never share banking details, OTPs, or personal identification information with unknown individuals or suspicious platforms.
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Avoid Suspicious Links: Refrain from clicking unknown links or downloading unauthorized mobile applications.
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Report Immediately: Immediately report any unsolicited contact or suspicious activity related to online betting to the nearest police station or the Cyber Crime division.
Report Cyber Fraud: 1930 | cybercrime.gov.in Emergency Cyber Assistance: Call/WhatsApp 8712665171
