According to investigators, the accused repeatedly contacted the victim, presenting himself as an official representative of a reputed insurance company. He offered to arrange a new insurance policy. When the complainant declined the proposal, the caller allegedly resorted to intimidation, claiming that the victim’s existing policy would be cancelled if he did not comply.
Exploiting the panic, the accused persuaded the victim to disclose his credit card details along with the one-time password (OTP), under the guise of resolving the purported issue. Shortly thereafter, ₹2.37 lakh was illicitly transferred from the victim’s account to another account controlled by the fraudster.
Arrest Following Cyber Investigation
A formal complaint was lodged at the Dakshina Kannada District Cyber Crime Police Station under the Information Technology Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Police undertook a thorough cyber investigation, employing digital tracking techniques to trace the perpetrator. The accused, identified as Avinash Ramesh Gowda, a Maharashtra native residing in Krishnarajapete, Mandya district, was arrested on 11 February 2026.
He was subsequently presented before a court and remanded in custody. Authorities stated that further investigation is ongoing to ascertain whether he is involved in other similar insurance-related frauds.
Key Case Details
| Aspect | Information |
|---|---|
| Accused | Avinash Ramesh Gowda |
| Age | 24 years |
| Residence | Krishnarajapete, Mandya district, Maharashtra native |
| Victim | Resident of Puttur |
| Amount Defrauded | ₹2.37 lakh |
| Date of Arrest | 11 February 2026 |
| Registered at | Dakshina Kannada District Cyber Crime Police Station |
| Legal Provisions Invoked | Information Technology Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) |
| Current Status | Remanded to custody; investigation ongoing |
Advisory for the Public
Cybercrime officials have issued stern warnings to the public, urging them not to share banking information, credit card numbers, or OTPs with unknown callers, even if they claim to be from insurance companies or financial institutions.
Authorities highlighted that threats regarding policy cancellations are a common manipulation tactic employed by fraudsters to pressure victims into acting impulsively. Citizens are advised to verify any such calls directly with authorised insurers and report suspicious activity immediately.
This incident underscores the growing sophistication of digital fraud schemes and the need for heightened vigilance among banking and insurance customers.
