Pune: Online Task Scam Defrauds Ten Individuals of Rs 25.65 Lakhs
Kharadi, 27th August 2023: A case has recently come to the forefront involving ten individuals falling prey to an online task scam, resulting in a collective loss of Rs 25.65 lakhs.
Vaishali Vinod Kumar Gupta, a 36-year-old resident of Kharadi, has lodged a formal complaint with the Chandannagar police station regarding this fraudulent activity. Subsequently, a case has been registered against the cybercriminals involved in the scam.
Gupta is employed at a private company and was targeted when cybercriminals sent a message to her mobile number. These perpetrators enticed her with the prospect of working from home through online tasks. Their deceitful scheme involved showcasing that content on social media, including audio and video materials, could yield substantial profits if they garnered favorable viewer engagement. Under this pretext, the scammers managed to siphon off Rs 25.85 lakhs from Gupta and nine others using online channels.
Initially, the fraudsters provided a small sum of money to lend credibility to their claims. However, they soon severed all contact by blocking the victims’ mobile numbers. Only upon realizing the magnitude of the deception did the victims file a formal complaint with the local authorities. Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Landge is currently leading the investigation into the matter.
