Hyderabad doctor duped in cyber fraud, loses Rs. 1.4 lakh in fake clothing offer

Hyderabad: A 38-year-old female doctor from Hyderabad has become the latest victim of a cyber fraud after falling for a fake online clothing offer. The victim received a message about an opportunity to purchase branded clothing, which led her to a link for booking the items online. After clicking the link, she was redirected to a Telegram channel where scammers manipulated her into a series of deceptive tasks, ultimately leading to a financial loss of ₹1,46,200.
According to the victim’s complaint, after clicking the provided link, she was directed to the Telegram group, where scammers initially transferred a small amount to her bank account, convincing her they would send the clothing soon. The fraudsters assured her that completing additional tasks would secure the delivery of the items.
However, the following day, they informed the victim that more tasks needed to be completed before the clothing could be dispatched. The scammers introduced her to a “group task” involving five other people. As part of this scheme, the victim was pressured into making multiple payments, starting with ₹50,000, and eventually paid a total of ₹1,46,200.
The fraudsters claimed that if she did not complete the tasks, the money already paid by other group members would also be at risk. It was only when they demanded additional payments that the victim realised she had been deceived. She has now lodged a complaint to recover the lost amount.
Public Advisory:
Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution regarding part-time job scams and fake investment offers circulating online.
Fraudulent schemes, such as “work-from-home,” “Google capture & task rating,” “Click & Rate and Earn,” and similar offers, are frequently used by scammers to lure victims. These offers often appear on social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, where fraudsters promote fake investment apps or websites.
Scammers typically begin by crediting small amounts into the victim’s account to build trust and manipulate them into making larger payments. These schemes promise high returns but are not endorsed by regulatory bodies like SEBI. Victims are advised not to fall for promises of large profits and to verify the legitimacy of such offers before sharing any personal or financial information.
In case of suspected cyber fraud, victims can immediately call the Cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies, individuals can also contact 8712665171 via call or WhatsApp.