A resident of Puttur in Mangaluru has allegedly been cheated of Rs 4.8 lakh by an unidentified individual who posed as a woman on Snapchat and WhatsApp. The fraudster gained the victim's trust over several months and sought money citing financial difficulties.
How the Fraud Unfolded
According to a complaint filed at the Puttur Town police station, the victim first came into contact with a Snapchat user in December last year. The user introduced herself as Annapoorna Gowda and claimed to be employed at Wipro in Bengaluru. Over time, the accused shared a WhatsApp number and continued communicating with the victim through the messaging platform.
Between February and April 2026, the impersonator allegedly sought financial assistance on multiple occasions, citing personal financial hardships. Believing the fabricated story, the victim transferred a total of Rs 4.8 lakh to the accused in several installments.
Discovery of the Fraud
The scam came to light when the victim discussed the matter with friends, who helped verify the identity of the person. Investigations revealed that the individual was not a woman, but a man who had used a fake identity to deceive the victim.
Legal Action Taken
Based on the complaint, the Puttur Town police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Section 66(D) of the Information Technology Act. The authorities are investigating the matter to identify and apprehend the accused.
