Online Task Fraud / Work From Home Scam

According to reports, multiple individuals across different regions have fallen victim to online task-based job scams promising easy work-from-home earnings. In one instance, a 41-year-old private company employee from Pune lost Rs 8 lakh after being assigned tasks involving rating hotels on the internet. In another incident, a 55-year-old woman from Udupi was defrauded of over Rs 31 lakh after responding to a social media ad and communicating with individuals posing as corporate representatives on WhatsApp and Telegram. A 45-year-old businessman from Hyderabad also lost Rs 28.45 lakh through a similar survey and task-based scheme.

Investigators stated that the fraudsters typically initiate contact through social media platforms or messaging apps like WhatsApp and Telegram. They initially assign simple tasks such as giving five-star ratings or filling out forms, and reward the victims with small, genuine-looking payouts to build trust. Once the victims are convinced of the scheme's legitimacy, the scammers introduce prepaid tasks or investment options promising high returns. When the victims transfer larger sums of money, the suspects cease all communication or demand additional payments under various pretexts.

Following these incidents, the victims approached authorities and filed formal complaints through national cybercrime portals and local police stations. Law enforcement agencies have registered cases against unknown suspects under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Authorities are currently investigating the fraudulent bank accounts used in the transfers and have repeatedly warned the public to remain cautious of unsolicited work-from-home offers and investment schemes circulated on social media.

Not yet reported: The articles do not mention the identities of the suspects or any successful arrests made in connection with these cases.