How a Software Engineer from Pune Fell for a Part-Time Work from Home Scam and Lost Around Rs 16 Lakh

 

Working from home has become the new normal for many people due to the pandemic. However, it also comes with its own challenges and risks. One of them is falling prey to online scams that promise easy money for doing simple tasks. Unfortunately, this is what happened to a software engineer from Pune who lost around Rs 16 lakh to fraudsters who offered him a part-time work-from-home job.

The Scam

According to a report by MSN1, the victim works at a reputed software company and on May 4, received a message on an app that promised to pay him money for a part-time job. The task involved liking some videos and the victim was compensated fairly for the same initially. The man was then told to invest in other prepaid tasks to ‘earn more money’. Initially, the victim made small investments, but after receiving commissions, he moved on to bigger investments.

When the victim told his ‘employers’ that he wants to withdraw his money, the fraudsters told him that in order to get his money back, he would have to pay up more. In four days, the victim ended up transferring Rs 15.9 lakh to various bank accounts as well as UPI accounts. When the scammers continued demanding money, the man realised that he was being duped and approached the police.

The Modus Operandi

This is not an isolated case of online scamming. In fact, there has been a rise in incidents where people have fallen for cyber scammers who manipulate them into depositing funds into various accounts. These fraudsters often entice their victims by offering them seemingly attractive “part-time job opportunities” that involve earning money through liking videos. Initially, to gain the victim’s trust, the scammers make small deposits into the victim’s account. However, once the victim starts developing a sense of reliance on the fraudster, the scam takes a turn and starts involving tasks that require handling larger sums of money.

In cases of online task scams, cybercriminals use messaging apps to trick people into paying money for doing simple online tasks that are actually fake. Firstly, cybercriminals send messages to people on Telegram or other social media platforms, offering them an opportunity to earn money by doing online tasks such as watching videos, writing reviews or giving ratings on Google. After the victim falls for their words, they add them to Telegram groups where they provide instructions and links for the tasks. They also send small amounts of money to people’s accounts, to make them believe that they are getting paid for their work and to gain their trust.

However, soon they start asking for more money from the victims for various reasons such as registration fees, security deposits, taxes or commissions. They also create fake websites or apps that show inflated balances or earnings to lure the victims into investing more. They also use pressure tactics such as deadlines or limited offers to make the victims act fast without thinking much. When the victims try to withdraw their money or stop working, they are either blocked by the scammers or asked to pay more fees or penalties.

The Prevention

Online task scams are becoming more sophisticated and widespread as cybercriminals exploit people’s desire to earn extra income during these difficult times. Therefore, it is important to be aware and vigilant of such scams and take preventive measures to avoid becoming a victim.

Some of the tips to prevent online task scams are:

Do not respond to unsolicited messages or calls that offer you part-time jobs or easy money.

Do not share your personal or financial details with strangers online.

Do not pay any money upfront for any online task or job without verifying its legitimacy.

Do not download any unknown app or click on any suspicious link that claims to offer you online tasks or jobs.

Do not trust any website or app that shows unrealistic earnings or balances without any proof.

Do not fall for pressure tactics or emotional appeals that urge you to act fast or invest more.

Do your own research and check reviews and ratings of any online task or job provider before signing up.

If you suspect any online task or job offer to be a scam, report it to the authorities and block the scammers.

Online task scams are a serious threat that can cause financial and emotional distress to anyone who falls for them. Therefore, it is essential to be cautious and smart when dealing with online offers and opportunities. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.