Rural youth & women duped of over Rs 20 crore in online fraud

Thousands of youths, including women, who invested their hard-earned money in an unknown online app that promised to double their investment, have been cheated after the app suddenly shut down last Wednesday.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE JAGATSINGHPUR, 22 AUGUST:

Around 3,000 to 4,000 people are estimated to have lost nearly ₹20 crore in the fraud.

Sources said the online platform, named Huge App, had been operating for the last six to eight months. The app lured depositors by asking them to invest ₹16,500. In return, each depositor was asked to watch 30 video advertisements daily, after which ₹615 was credited to their wallet. Many verified their wallets and found the daily amount being credited, which built trust among users. Withdrawals were allowed every Thursday, with options to withdraw ₹2,250, ₹9,000, or ₹25,000 for bigger returns.