Gadgets Now Bureau
28 Jul, 2023, 10:58AM IST
Another young man has lost lakhs of rupees to ‘work from home’ scam that started with a WhatsApp message and then followed the largely similar path of small profits from initial investments leading to larger deposits in Crypto and in the end losing all. Such scams have become so common in the last few months, that Police of almost every state in the country have warned people against them and asked to be cautious. Still people continue to fall for them. In the latest case a 32-year-old man lost Rs 37 lakh allegedly to four people who lured him into a part-time job of liking Instagram posts of Bollywood celebrities. Here’s how the scam started and all other details:
Criminals may have got his details from recruitment website
The complainant had uploaded his biodata on two online recruitment websites as his contract with the company he was working for was getting over.
Started with a WhatsApp message
According to Police, he got a message from an unidentified person on WhatsApp offering him a part-time job. In the past few weeks, these messages have become quite professional. The scammers often even take names of some reputed companies to trap people.
Offered money for Instagram likes
He was offered Rs 70 every Instagram like on the posts of various celebrities on the platform. He was promised he can earn up to Rs 2000 to Rs 3000 per day by just liking Instagram posts. In many cases, scammers offer money for YouTube likes.
Had to share screenshots of his work
To make it look authentic and add kind of accountability, he was asked to share screenshots of the work done.
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Added to Telegram group to earn higher income
He was then added to another group on Telegram app where he was assigned some crypto currency tasks.
Asked to buy bitcoins
Here he was asked to deposit a certain amount to buy cryptocurrency and bitcoins. He accessed the website with login details he was given by the accused.
Made small profits initially
He invested around Rs 9000 initially and in return got Rs 9,980. This convinced him that the work is profitable and he may earn more if he invests more. He again paid Rs 30,000 and got a profit of Rs 8,208.
Upgraded to VIP group, and told he needs to now invest higher
He was then told that he has been upgraded to ‘VIP’ group on Telegram app. This means that he needs to invest a bigger amount. Convinced of the returns, he invested higher.
Was told to invest more to get his money back
When he wanted his money back, he was told that to get his invested money back, he would have to pay more money.
Paid Rs 37 lakh by the time he realised that he has been cheated
He collectively invested a total of Rs 37.03 lakh but did not get anything in return. Only then, he realised that he had been cheated.
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