Mysore/Mysuru, Nov. 14 -- Cybercriminals have duped a 44-year-old software engineer from Hebbal, Mysuru, of Rs. 21 lakh after luring him into a fake online stock trading scheme.

According to the Police, on Sept. 25, the victim was added to a WhatsApp group that frequently shared information on stock market trading. Members of the group posted screenshots showing large profits, enticing him to invest. Soon after, a person identifying himself as Karan Singh, a member of the same WhatsApp group, contacted the engineer directly and promised substantial returns through stock investments. He provided a 'customer care' number for assistance.

When the victim called the number, he was instructed to download and install a mobile application sent ...