Hyderabad woman loses Rs. 21.73 lakhs in Telegram scam

Hyderabad: A 44-year-old housewife residing in Hyderabad has been defrauded of Rs. 21,73,000 in an online scam conducted through the messaging app Telegram. The victim, whose identity remains confidential, fell prey to the fraudulent scheme after receiving messages from accounts identified as @PUYFU63, @JollyBiswas269, and @Joyless.

Over Rs. 21 Lakh in Telegram Scam Disguised as Part-Time Job Opportunity

The scam initially presented itself as a part-time job opportunity involving providing 5-star ratings to hotels. Believing the offer to be genuine, the victim engaged with the scammers, who instructed her to register through a provided link to start receiving assignments. Following their instructions, she registered and provided screenshots of her activities, rating hotels as instructed. Initially, the scammers rewarded her with a nominal amount of Rs. 50.

As the victim continued to comply with their demands, the scammers escalated their deception by persuading her to invest in what they claimed was a lucrative opportunity. They convinced her to make an initial investment of Rs. 5,000, promising substantial returns. The scammers refunded the initial investment and an additional Rs. 6,500 to build trust. Encouraged by these transactions, the victim continued to invest more funds, believing she would receive profitable returns.

Unfortunately, the promised returns never materialized, and the victim ultimately lost a staggering Rs. 21,73,000 to the scammers.

The cybercrime officials investigating the case highlighted the modus operandi of such fraudsters, who often lure victims through various online platforms including Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook. They cautioned against fraudulent trading apps and websites that lack endorsement from regulatory authorities like the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). These scams typically involve victims with promises of high returns and fictitious profit screenshots, aiming to gain their confidence by initially crediting small amounts to their accounts.

Authorities advised anyone who encounters financial cyber fraud to report the incident immediately by dialing the cybercrime helpline number 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in.

In this case, the victim has urged swift action against the scamsters, emphasizing the need for greater public awareness and vigilance regarding such fraudulent schemes.