Mangaluru (Karnataka), March 27 A case has been registered following the use of a website impersonating the city police to defraud people through online gambling, officials said on Friday.
The case came to light when personnel from the Cyber, Economic, and Narcotics (CEN) police station noticed a suspicious website during routine monitoring, they added.
Upon verification, it was found that unidentified individuals had created a portal using the name and identity of the city police, raising concerns about potential misuse for fraudulent purposes, they further said.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the fake platform was being used to lure individuals, particularly those unfamiliar with cyber risks, into online betting and gaming schemes, a senior police officer said.
Victims were reportedly persuaded to deposit money with promises of attractive returns, after which the funds were siphoned off, he said.
Police suspect that the accused used the department's name to make the website appear legitimate and gain users' trust.
"The misuse of official identity appears to have played a key role in convincing victims to engage with the platform," officials said.
A case has been registered against unknown persons, and efforts are underway to trace those responsible for creating and operating the fraudulent website.
Technical analysis of the domain and transaction trails is also being conducted as part of the investigation, police said.
Authorities have cautioned the public to remain vigilant while accessing websites and to rely only on verified official platforms.
Citizens are also advised to avoid links or schemes promising quick financial gains, as such offers are often used as bait in cyber fraud cases.