A 24-year-old man has been apprehended for allegedly defrauding and threatening a resident of Puttur in a sophisticated fake insurance scam, police officials reported on Thursday. The victim reportedly lost over ₹2.37 lakh after being manipulated into sharing sensitive banking information.
Modus Operandi
Investigators revealed that the accused repeatedly contacted the victim, posing as an official from a reputed insurance company and offering to arrange a new policy. When the complainant refused, the caller allegedly resorted to intimidation, warning that the victim’s existing policy would be cancelled, thereby creating unnecessary panic.
Police stated that under the guise of “resolving” the issue, the perpetrator persuaded the victim to disclose his credit card number and one-time password (OTP). Once these details were obtained, ₹2.37 lakh was illicitly transferred from the victim’s credit card to an account controlled by the accused.
Arrest Following Cyber Investigation
The case was promptly registered at the Dakshina Kannada District Cyber Crime Police Station under applicable sections of the Information Technology Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Following a thorough digital investigation and tracing of electronic footprints, authorities arrested the suspect, identified as Avinash Ramesh Gowda. The accused, originally from Maharashtra, currently resides in Krishnarajapete, Mandya district.
He was produced before a magistrate on February 11 and remanded in judicial custody. Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing to determine whether Gowda is connected to other insurance-related frauds.
Key Details of the Case
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Victim Location | Puttur, Dakshina Kannada district |
| Accused | Avinash Ramesh Gowda, 24, Maharashtra native |
| Residence of Accused | Krishnarajapete, Mandya district |
| Method of Fraud | Fake insurance calls, credit card/OTP manipulation |
| Amount Defrauded | ₹2.37 lakh |
| Date of Arrest | 11 February 2026 |
| Police Unit | Dakshina Kannada District Cyber Crime Police Station |
| Legal Provisions Invoked | Information Technology Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) |
Authorities Warn Public
Cyber crime officials have urged citizens to remain vigilant and never disclose banking information, credit card details, or OTPs to unknown callers, even if they claim to represent legitimate insurance or financial institutions.
“Threats regarding policy cancellation are a common tactic employed by fraudsters to induce panic and hasten victims’ compliance,” a senior officer said. Authorities advise individuals to independently verify such communications with authorised insurers and to report any suspicious activity immediately.
This case highlights the growing sophistication of cyber frauds in the insurance sector and reinforces the need for digital literacy and caution when handling sensitive financial information.