Secunderabad businessman scammed through fake online job, loses Rs. 8.6 lakhs
Secunderabad: A 36-year-old businessman from Secunderabad fell victim to a cyber scam, resulting in a financial loss of Rs. 8,61,418 (eight lakh sixty-one thousand four hundred eighteen only).
According to the cybercrime police, the victim was initially contacted via a message on Telegram about an online job opportunity. The scammers instructed the victim to complete daily tasks involving swiping through pictures of cars. Each set of tasks consisted of 25 swipes, and the victim was promised a daily wage for completing them. The victim performed the tasks for just one day and was later advised to contact the scammers if any issues arose.
Subsequently, the victim’s earnings were deposited into an “investment wallet” on the scammer’s website. Believing the portal was affiliated with CARS24 and viewing it as a legitimate investment opportunity, the victim invested additional funds into the platform.
The fraudulent web dash portal displayed an available balance to the victim. However, on August 12, 2024, several transactions were made transferring money from the victim’s account to the scammers’ account. The victim had added the scammers as a beneficiary in a series of 5 to 6 transactions.
Following this, the victim received a message on Telegram demanding a deposit to facilitate the withdrawal of his total amount of Rs. 8,61,418. In a rush, the victim went to the bank and completed an RTGS transfer as instructed. Since then, there has been no further communication from the scammers, and the victim has been unable to recover the lost funds.
The victim has filed a complaint with the police, requesting prompt action to address the fraud and recover the stolen amount.
Public advisory:
Never respond to emails, embedded links in messages, or calls requesting updates or verification of KYC documents, user ID, password, debit card number, PIN, CVV, or OTP. If you accidentally disclose your credentials, immediately change your passwords, CVV, and PIN.
Fraudsters often target victims on social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook by promoting fake trading apps and websites. Abstain from trusting promises of high returns and fabricated profit screenshots. Scammers often credit small sums into victims’ accounts to gain their confidence.
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.
