Karnataka: Fake Trump App Scams Over 200 People in Crores-Worth Cyber Fraud

A major cyber scam has been uncovered in Karnataka, where more than 200 people were cheated of crores of rupees through a fake investment app falsely linked to former U.S. President Donald Trump.

The app, called Trump Hotel Rental, used AI-generated images and videos of Trump to gain people’s trust. It promised quick and massive returns — even over 100% — on investments.

According to the Cybercrime Police, the app was active for several months and may have tricked more than 800 people across Karnataka. Some victims reportedly invested over ₹10 lakh, believing they would double their money.

The fraud spread across multiple districts including Haveri, Bengaluru, Tumakuru, Mangaluru, Hubballi, Dharwad, Kalaburagi, Shivamogga, Ballari, and Bidar.

The app showed users fake dashboards with made-up earnings to convince them to invest more. But no actual money was being earned or paid out. The scam is believed to have started in January this year.

One lawyer from Haveri reportedly lost ₹6 lakh between January 25 and April 4. So far, 15 FIRs have been registered in Haveri alone, and many other victims are expected to be staying silent out of fear or embarrassment.

Superintendent of Police Anshu Kumar confirmed receiving several complaints about the fake app. He warned the public not to fall for apps or schemes that promise quick money or unusually high returns.

The police have launched a full investigation and are urging more victims to come forward and report their losses.

Stay Alert: If an app sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always double-check before investing money online.