Hundreds duped through 'Trump App', say cops

Over 100 people have reportedly lost crores of rupees by investing in a fraudulent Trump Hotel rental scheme by cybercriminals who used an AI-generated video of US President Donald Trump promising high returns, police said.

- HT Correspondent

BENGALURU:

“The con was designed to mimic legitimate investment platforms, drawing attention through social media advertisements that promised unusually high returns. Victims, lured by the branding and promises, were asked to register on the app with a fee of ₹1,500. Initial payouts — such as ₹500 or daily credits of ₹30 — were made to establish credibility and push users toward deeper investments,” Haveri superintendent of police Anshukumar said.

Explaining the modus operandi, he said that the accused initially used to return some amount to build trust. “By offering small returns, they gain the user’s confidence, then promise higher returns at the next level and coax users into investing more, before disappearing.”