Tue May 27 05:11:28 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

A 38-year-old advocate in Haveri, Karnataka, was defrauded of ₹5,93,240 by cybercriminals using an AI-generated video of Donald Trump to promote a fake “Trump Hotel Rentals” investment scheme. The advocate initially received promised returns on a small initial investment, leading him to invest further. He eventually stopped receiving returns and was unable to withdraw his money, prompting him to file a police complaint. Police are investigating the case, freezing one bank account to which part of the money was transferred, and urging the public to avoid suspicious links.

**News Article:**

**Karnataka Advocate Duped by AI-Generated Trump Investment Scam**

Haveri, Karnataka – May 27, 2025 – A 38-year-old advocate from Haveri has fallen victim to an elaborate cyber fraud, losing ₹5,93,240 in a fake “Trump Hotel Rentals” investment scheme promoted through an AI-generated video of former US President Donald Trump.

According to police reports, the advocate encountered the investment opportunity in January via a YouTube video. The link directed him to download a mobile application where he was asked to provide bank details and pay ₹1,500 to activate his account. Initially, he received the promised 3% daily return, encouraging him to invest significantly more money between January 25 and April 4.

However, the promised returns abruptly ceased, and the advocate found himself unable to withdraw his invested funds. He subsequently filed a complaint with the Haveri Central Crime Police Station on May 6.

Police investigation revealed the fraudulent nature of the link and the scheme. A senior police officer confirmed that a bank account to which ₹1.5 lakh was transferred has been frozen as part of the ongoing investigation. A case has been registered under the IT Act and Section 318(4) (cheating) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution and refrain from clicking on suspicious links or engaging with unsolicited investment offers. This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of cybercriminals leveraging AI technology to create convincing scams.

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