A woman from Udyavara, Udupi, aged 55, fell victim to a fraudulent work-from-home scheme after being enticed by an advertisement on Facebook. She lost a staggering amount of over Rs 31 lakh in what is another case of cyber fraud plaguing India. The ordeal began when she came across a Facebook post offering online work-from-home opportunities. Subsequently, she engaged with an individual posing as an HR executive from the “NSE corporate office” via WhatsApp and Telegram, where she was instructed to complete tasks and fill out forms.
The scammers gained her trust by sending small payments for each task completed, leading her to believe she had found a legitimate part-time job. As the scam progressed, she was introduced to investment opportunities promising high returns. Encouraged by the initial payouts, she invested amounts ranging from Rs 1,000 to Rs 5,000. The scammers abruptly ceased communication after she transferred a total of Rs 31,00,067, leaving her realizing she had been duped.
Upon discovering the scam, she reported the incident to the police, leading to the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. This incident underscores the risks associated with responding to work-from-home offers and investment schemes online. Authorities caution the public to exercise caution, verify opportunities, avoid unsolicited investment solicitations, and promptly report suspicious activities to prevent falling victim to such scams.