It all started when the complainant received a WhatsApp message, offering easy work-from-home tasks to earn money.
The sender instructed him to add a product to his cart and send a screenshot.
At first, the tasks were simple, and he received payments. But soon, he was introduced to prepaid tasks.
Many people look for work-from-home jobs to earn extra income, but scammers are taking advantage of this trend. A 37-year-old man from Karol Bagh, Delhi, fell victim to a work-from-home scam and lost nearly Rs 11 lakh. The fraudsters tricked him into investing in a fake trading app. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can avoid falling for such scams.
It all started when the complainant received a WhatsApp message on January 20, offering easy work-from-home tasks to earn money. The sender instructed him to add a product to his cart and send a screenshot. After completing this simple task, he was added to a social media group where he was given a special code to send to an ID which had a woman’s username. She helped him get his first settlement of Rs 150. She then added him to another group and encouraged him to complete more tasks for money.
At first, the tasks were simple, and he received payments. But soon, he was introduced to “prepaid tasks,” where he had to pay an amount first and then receive a refund with a 30 percent commission, reports TOI.
Also read: Woman loses Rs 1.16 lakh after fake crime branch call: Here’s how the scam unfolded
Believing this was a genuine opportunity, he initially paid Rs 1,000 and later received his money back with profit. The scammers gained his trust, and he started investing larger amounts.
As time passed, the scammers kept demanding more money. One day, when the victim asked to withdraw his money, the fraudsters refused. They pressured him to complete one last task, which required him to pay Rs 2 lakh. Even after making this payment, they continued asking for more money. In the end, he realised he had been scammed out of Rs 11 lakh.
After realising the fraud, the victim filed a police complaint.
Also read: Man loses Rs 64,000 in tour package scam: Here’s what happened
How to avoid falling for such scams
- Be cautious of work-from-home job offers on WhatsApp or social media. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay money upfront for job tasks or training fees. Legitimate companies do not ask for payments.
- Verify company details. Research the employer and check for official websites or reviews.
- Avoid sharing personal or financial details with unknown contacts.
- Trust your instincts. If something feels suspicious, walk away.
- If you suspect a scam, report it to the authorities immediately. Stay alert and protect yourself from online fraud.
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Ayushi Jain
Tech news writer by day, BGMI player by night. Combining my passion for tech and gaming to bring you the latest in both worlds. View Full Profile
