Online gambling horror: Hyderabad youth scammed of Rs 50 lakh, friend from Bhopal dies by suicide

Hyderabad: A 27-year-old student from Hyderabad, who was pursuing higher education in Italy, has fallen victim to an elaborate online betting scam that cost him Rs 50 lakh and led to the tragic suicide of his friend from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, who lost even more.

The Cyberabad Police have registered a case against four online betting platforms and six individuals allegedly involved in orchestrating the racket, which operated through social media and encrypted messaging apps to lure unsuspecting victims.

Scammer promised ‘guaranteed toss-fix’ predictions for cricket matches

According to the complaint filed on Friday night, the student came across an Instagram reel in December 2023 that directed him to a private Telegram channel. The channel was run by a fraudster claiming to be from Jagtial district and promised ‘guaranteed toss-fix’ predictions for cricket matches.

The fraudster used doctored screenshots of large winnings to create an illusion of credibility. “Initially, he gave two correct predictions, possibly staged to gain our trust. Encouraged by the early success and constant reassurances, we began betting large sums through offshore websites he promoted,” the student stated.

Friend lost Rs 60 lakh

The student claimed he lost around Rs 50 lakh through bank transfers to various accounts. His friend from Bhopal, who also became involved and bet higher amounts on credit, lost nearly Rs 60 lakh.

“Unable to cope with the mounting pressure and financial burden, my friend took his own life on December 6, 2024,” the student added.

Police investigation underway

Cyberabad police said the fraudsters ran multiple invitation-only Telegram groups to hide their identities and evade law enforcement. Officials are now examining digital evidence, including chat transcripts and transaction details, to identify and arrest the accused.

The case highlights the growing threat of cybercrime facilitated through social media and encrypted platforms, especially targeting young and financially vulnerable individuals.