A businessman from Nagpur was apparently tricked of approximately Rs 58 crore through an online gambling platform, which resulted in Rs 14 crore in cash and 4 kg of gold biscuit’s being found at a bookie’s house in Gondia, Maharashtra.
Nagpur man duped of Rs 58 crore in an online gaming scam
According to the police, the accused, identified as Anant alias Sontu Navratan Jain, convinced the businessman to try online gambling as a profitable opportunity. Although the businessman was initially hesitant, he gave in to Jain’s persuasion and transferred Rs 8 lakh through a hawala merchant.
Jain enticed the businessman with the promise of high profits and sent him a link on WhatsApp to open an online gambling account. Initially, the businessman had some success, finding Rs 8 lakh in his account and starting to gamble, as per reports. However, his luck turned for the worse, and he ended up losing a staggering Rs 58 crore, despite winning around Rs 5 crore initially.
The businessman started suspecting foul play as he kept losing and asked the accused to return his money, but he declined.
In response, the businessman filed a complaint with the cyber police, leading to a fraud case being registered under the Indian Penal Code. The police conducted a raid at Jain’s residence in Gondia, where they found significant evidence, including Rs 14 crore cash and four kg gold biscuits.
The accused escaped before the police raid and is believed to have fled to Dubai, according to the police. The hunt is still on.
How to stay safe from online gaming/gambling scams
- Remember to avoid clicking on links in unsolicited emails, even if they seem to be related to a game you know.
- Don’t trust unsolicited emails blindly. If something worries you, use your contact details to confirm with the sender.
- Only download online games or extensions from familiar and legitimate websites.
- Check the developer’s name on legitimate platforms to ensure the game is authentic.
- Keep your online gaming account login details secure.
- Be cautious about befriending strangers in online gaming communities and avoid sharing personal information with them.
