Hyderabad Teen Scammed Online: How to Stay Safe

From easy Google reviews to Rs. 1.6L lost: Story of Hyderabad teen’s cyber scam ordeal

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Neelima Eaty 30 Jan 2025 3:07 PM

News in short:

A 17-year-old student from Hyderabad lost ₹1,68,679 to an online scam. The scammer lured her with a fake part-time job offer from Infosys Mutual Fund, promising high earnings for reviewing restaurants on Google Maps. The victim was tricked into completing tasks and transferring increasing amounts of money, believing she was earning more. Cybercrime police issued a public advisory warning against such scams. They advise people to be wary of fake job offers, especially those involving online reviews or "work from home" opportunities. Victims are encouraged to verify any job or investment offers before sharing personal information or money. They can contact the Cybercrime helpline at 1930 or cybercrime.gov.in for assistance.

Hyderabad: A 17-year-old student from Hyderabad fell victim to an online scam, losing ₹1,68,679 after being lured by a fraudulent part-time job offer. The victim received a WhatsApp message from an unknown number, claiming to be an employee of Infosys Mutual Fund. The message stated that the company had partnerships with popular restaurants and needed part-time workers for tasks that wouldn’t interfere with her studies.

The scammer promised the student daily earnings ranging from ₹159 to ₹6,000 in exchange for reviewing restaurants on Google Maps. After completing a “test task” and receiving ₹159 as payment, the victim was further encouraged to engage with the scammer through Telegram.

The fraudster directed the victim to a series of tasks, asking her to provide personal details and join a “novice training team.” The victim was promised higher earnings if she completed more tasks, including the opportunity to join a VIP group. As the victim completed the tasks, the fraudster requested increasing amounts of money to continue, starting with ₹1,000, followed by ₹2,000, and eventually demanding ₹9,000.

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The victim continued to send money via Google Pay and other bank transfers, believing that she was making progress toward higher earnings. Ultimately, she was deceived into transferring a total of ₹1,68,679 to the scammer.

Public Advisory:

Cybercrime police have issued a public advisory warning against such frauds. They urge people to be cautious of fake job offers, especially those involving “work from home” tasks, online reviews, and “click-and-earn” schemes. Scammers often use social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, and Instagram to target victims, offering fake investment opportunities with promises of high returns.

Authorities remind the public to verify any job or investment offers before sharing personal or financial details. In case of any cybercrime, victims are advised to contact the Cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies, they can also reach out via WhatsApp at 8712665171.