Cyber fraud: Hyderabad man loses Rs. 1.5 lakh to Telegram job scam
Hyderabad: A 37-year-old self-employed man from Hyderabad became the victim of cybercrime by losing Rs. 1,58,478 (One Lakh Fifty-Eight Thousand Four Hundred Seventy-Eight Only) to scammers posing as part-time job recruiters on Telegram.
According to the cybercrime police, the victim received a message on Telegram offering him a part-time online job. The scammers obtained his personal details and promised daily wages for his work. The following day, he received a call via Telegram instructing him to complete a free registration on a provided website. Believing the offer to be legitimate, the victim logged into the site and began working.
As part of the process, the victim was asked to make several payments to continue receiving commercial ads. The scammers persistently prompted him to pay, eventually demanding Rs. 5,00,000 to withdraw his accumulated earnings, a sum the victim could not afford. It was only at this point that he realised he had fallen victim to a scam.
The victim has since filed a complaint seeking assistance from the cybercrime police.
Public Advisory
Individuals are urged to exercise caution regarding part-time job offers, investment frauds, and online scams, such as Work from Home and Click & Earn schemes. It is essential to verify any job or investment opportunities before sharing personal or financial information.
Scammers frequently approach victims through various social media platforms, including Telegram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook, advertising fake investment apps and websites. These fraudulent schemes lack endorsement from regulatory bodies such as SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
Fraudsters employ simple tactics to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of high returns and fake profit screenshots. They may initially credit a small amount into the victim’s account to gain their trust. It is vital to remain skeptical of promises of substantial returns and to conduct thorough research before engaging in any financial transactions.
If you suspect you are a victim of cyber financial fraud, report it immediately by calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline at 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in. For emergencies, call or WhatsApp at 8712665171.
