Scammers target Hyderabad woman with fake online job offer, steal over Rs. 3.5L
Hyderabad: A 22-year-old unemployed woman from Hyderabad has become the latest victim of a fraudulent online job and investment scheme. She received a WhatsApp message claiming to be from “Global Online Jobs from Flipkart Internet Private Limited,” along with a link to a suspicious website.
Initially, the scammers asked her to pay ₹200. After making the payment, a supposed commission of ₹100 was added to her account. The fraudsters then requested an additional ₹1,000, promising another commission of ₹250. They convinced her that by investing ₹5,000, she would receive a significant return.
To make the offer appear more legitimate, she was added to a VIP group. Believing the scheme, the victim continued to invest and eventually transferred ₹3,56,680 (₹3.56 lakh). However, she did not receive any returns, and when she attempted to withdraw the money, the fraudsters demanded more payments.
Realizing she had been scammed, the woman filed a complaint with the Hyderabad cybercrime police.
Public Advisory:
Be cautious of fake online job and investment offers, such as “Work from Home,” “Click & Rate and Earn,” and similar schemes. Always verify such offers before sharing any personal or financial information.
Fraudsters often use social media platforms, including Telegram, WhatsApp, X, Instagram, and Facebook, to advertise fake investment apps and websites. These schemes are fraudulent and not endorsed by SEBI. Scammers may credit a small amount to your account to gain your trust and then lure you into making larger investments with promises of high returns.
If you are a victim of cybercrime, contact the cybercrime helpline at 1930 or visit the official cybercrime.govt.in website. For emergencies, you can call or WhatsApp 8712665171.
