Man loses Rs 27.9 lakh in online job scam: Here’s what happened

We all dream of earning some extra money by doing easy work from home. But sometimes, these opportunities turn out to be traps. A man from Karnataka recently learned this the hard way after he lost nearly Rs 28 lakh in an online scam that promised high commissions for simple tasks. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can avoid falling for such frauds.

It all started when Ashiq A, a 33-year-old, received a message on his Telegram account. The message was from a person named Neha Kumar, who offered him a part-time work-from-home job, reports TOI. The job sounded simple and promising. He had to post hotel reviews on a website, and in return, he was told he would earn commissions ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 4,500 for each review.

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Ashiq clicked on the registration link shared by the scammer. He signed up using his mobile number and soon began completing tasks assigned through the platform. Trusting the process, Ashiq ended up transferring a total of Rs 27.9 lakh to various bank accounts given by the fraudsters. Only after completing the so-called tasks and not receiving any money back did he realise that he had been scammed.

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How to avoid falling for such scams

• Always verify job offers: If someone contacts you out of the blue with a job offer, especially on apps like Telegram or WhatsApp, be cautious.
• Check company details: Do some research online. Legitimate companies have proper websites and contact details.
• Never pay to get a job: If you’re asked to transfer money to complete tasks or get commissions, it’s most likely a scam.
• Report suspicious messages: If something feels off, report the sender and avoid further contact.