In the bustling city of Bengaluru, a man named Mr. Antony lived a modest life. An honest employee and a devoted family man, Antony never imagined that a mobile app would one day drain his hard-earned savings and leave him battling for justice.
It all began with a flashy advertisement that appeared on social media. The app, named GROWBET777 with id www.growbet777.com, promised massive returns through online betting—quick profits, easy withdrawals, and a community of “winners.” Initially hesitant, Antony was soon lured by the promise of doubling his money within days. What harm could a small investment do? It seems that the website is running by a group of people belongs to Andhra Pradesh.
He deposited ₹10,000 through a UPI ID shared by the app’s WhatsApp support number: 8297931135. To his amazement, the balance in his app account grew. Encouraged, he invested more—₹50,000, then ₹1,00,000. With each transaction, different UPI IDs and bank account names were provided. They reassured him these were just “official payment partners.”
Over time, Antony deposited a total of ₹7,50,000 across multiple accounts:
- CH Sridhar’s Axis Bank account
- UPI handles like bkalmar0519@axl, chsri4625@axl, devanshyaaqua.ibz@icici, and more.
But when Antony attempted to withdraw his earnings, the real game began. His requests were “under review,” then “pending approval,” and finally, ignored. He tried contacting customer care. No response. The WhatsApp number that once buzzed with friendly replies now remained silent.
Panic set in. He messaged again. Called. Begged. Nothing.
The illusion shattered—Antony realized he had been scammed.
Determined not to stay silent, he compiled every transaction detail: UPI IDs, names like Mamidisetti Satyanaryana, Mutyalapalli Tarun Prasad, and Mohan Traders. He filed a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in, explaining how these operators had systematically looted him. Then, he visited the local police station, where he lodged an official complaint under charges of cheating and online fraud.
He contacted his bank and shared account details, urging them to freeze the recipient accounts. The bank took note but mentioned the complexity of recovering money once it moved across multiple wallets and banks.
Today, Antony is still fighting. His voice now serves as a warning.
Online betting apps, often glamorized on social media, operate in murky waters. While some states ban gambling altogether, these apps cleverly bypass regulations, using a web of fake accounts, dummy names, and misleading promotions. They thrive on desperation, exploiting people with dreams of easy wealth.
Mr. Antony’s story is not unique. Thousands fall victim to such traps every month, often too ashamed to speak out.
He hopes his case against GROWBET777 will expose the bigger network behind these platforms. Until then, he urges others to stay vigilant. "If it sounds too good to be true," he says, "it probably is."
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