Victims are lured with small payouts for easy tasks like reviews or likes, then pushed to “invest” for fake higher-paying jobs.
A 25-year-old Gujarat woman died by suicide after falling into a scam that left her with Rs 28 lakh in debt.
No job contracts, fake dashboards, requests for investment, communication only via Telegram/WhatsApp, and referral-based traps.
A new online scam is targeting job seekers, homemakers, and students using WhatsApp and Telegram to offer fake tasks to earn money that lead victims into debt and despair. These scams typically begin with a simple message to a Telegram or WhatsApp group. The offer sounds tempting, as it offers money for easy tasks like a five-star rating for some product or a place, or a simple translation, or a like on a YouTube video. But what seems like a harmless side gig can turn into a trap to lose money.
SurveySorathia, a 25-year-old private bank employee from Gujarat, was lured into one such Telegram group. She initially received small payments for completing minor tasks. After a while, she was convinced to invest larger amounts to unlock “higher-level” assignments. But the returns never came. Trapped under a hefty debt of Rs 28 lakh, Sorathia died by suicide. In her suicide note, she wrote that she couldn’t escape the trap.
These scams show fake earnings, use polished websites, and even conduct mock interviews. Once victims are financially invested, the scam escalates.
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Here are some of the red flags that you must look out for
- Lack of formal job contracts or emails. Scammers use fake names or impersonate legitimate firms to trap people.
- Communication via WhatsApp or Telegram
- Ask for an investment to earn more.
- Fake dashboards showing fabricated earnings
Additionally, these scams also use referral programs, asking users to create a network or pyramid-like structure to carry out the scam. Some victims are even asked to share personal details, risking identity theft. Victims or those aware of such scams can report these incidents at cybercrime.gov.in.
How to protect yourself?
- Always verify job offers from official sources
- Never share personal credentials, or bank info or OTPs
- Report scams immediately on cybercrime.gov.in
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Himani Jha
Himani Jha is a tech news writer at Digit. Passionate about smartphones and consumer technology, she has contributed to leading publications such as Times Network, Gadgets 360, and Hindustan Times Tech for the past five years. When not immersed in gadgets, she enjoys exploring the vibrant culinary scene, discovering new cafes and restaurants, and indulging in her love for fine literature and timeless music. View Full Profile
