Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 23 (ANI): A Mumbai resident has alleged that he lost nearly Rs 13 crore in an online gaming fraud, which is currently being investigated by the Mumbai Cyber Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Speaking to ANI, the victim said his ordeal began during the COVID-19 pandemic when he first invested Rs 500 in a gaming app. Over time, he increased his investment in hopes of multiplying his earnings, but eventually lost his entire life savings.
He explained that the online gaming platforms operated under multiple names, creating confusion among users. “The online betting app was already under investigation. The ED is also probing it. More than Rs 15,000 crore has been reported,” he said.
The victim added that advertisements for these apps surfaced in 2021, attracting many unsuspecting users. “There are several applications, and people don’t even know if they are genuine or legal. They have multiple bank accounts, five to six gaming platforms, but I believe the servers are the same,” he noted.
According to him, the platforms offered games such as roulette and ludo across different websites. He also filed an FIR against the operators of the gaming app.
The victim recounted that he initially deposited Rs 50 lakh and was promised profit-sharing bonuses. “We used to invest in roulette. They said they would give us profit-sharing bonuses in the name of investment, but they never did,” he said.
He explained that the fraudsters allowed him to withdraw small amounts before blocking his account. “We deposited Rs 50 lakh. They asked us to withdraw two lakhs first. On the second day, we withdrew Rs 75,000, on the third day Rs 50,000, and on the fourth day they blocked us. Then they asked us to do KYC, and every time we completed it, they told us to do it again,” he said.
Expressing distress, the victim urged authorities to take strict action. “I want justice from the government. I want my money refunded. That is my main request,” he said.
The fraud, which allegedly involved thousands of victims and transactions worth over Rs 15,000 crore, remains under joint investigation by the Cyber Police and the ED. The probe is ongoing. (ANI)
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