“Ma’am, you just need to complete a few simple tasks, and you’ll earn ₹200 today itself!”
It sounded too easy to be true. But for Sneha (name changed), a resident of Mangaluru, this was the beginning of a nightmare.
It all started on a lazy afternoon when she was scrolling through Facebook. Between the usual cat videos and family updates, one ad caught her attention: “Earn from home! Easy online jobs are available. No skills required!”
Curious, she clicked. A chatbot instantly directed her to a Telegram group named ‘Sannvi Kavya,’ where an agent welcomed her with an almost too-friendly message:
“Welcome to our work-from-home program! You’ll start with small tasks, and as you complete them, your earnings will increase. Are you ready to begin?”
The first few tasks were ridiculously simple: liking YouTube videos, sharing links, and filling out quick forms.
The scammer asked her to deposit ₹120 to unlock the task. Within minutes, she received ₹200 in her account. It felt effortless.
By the second day, she invested ₹800 and got back ₹1,040.
“See, ma’am? You invest, complete tasks, and make instant profits! Keep going, and you’ll start earning bigger amounts,” the agent assured her.
That’s when the trap started tightening.
The Hook: Small Gains, Bigger Promises
Encouraged by her “earnings,” Sneha trusted the process. The agent introduced her to “premium tasks”, ones that required higher investments but promised even higher returns. The numbers were convincing:
- ₹40,000 investment → ₹55,000 return
- ₹80,000 investment → ₹1.1 lakh return
- ₹5 lakh investment → ₹7.2 lakh return
Her logical mind hesitated. But the Telegram group was filled with “happy participants” posting fake screenshots of their earnings. She saw messages like:
“Just made ₹1.5 lakh today! Thanks to this amazing work-from-home team!”
“Withdrawal successful! Easy money from home. Why go to the office?”
It all felt so real. So she took the plan to go ahead. She decided to begin with ₹40,000. But this time, there was no instant payout.
The admin assured her it was because these tasks required a “batch completion.” She had to invest a little more to unlock the full payment.
So she sent another ₹80,000.
Still nothing.
On March 13, she transferred a whopping ₹5 lakh, bringing her total investment to ₹16.4 lakh. The agent reassured her:
“Congratulations, ma’am! Your total earnings are now ₹21.8 lakh. Click the withdraw button to receive your funds.”
She clicked. “Transaction Failed.”
Again. “Transaction Denied.”
The Trap Closes: “Just One More Payment”
Panic started setting in. She messaged the agent.
“There’s a small issue, ma’am. The withdrawal requires an additional verification fee. Just deposit ₹50,000, to unlock your full amount.”
Her heart sank. This was the moment it hit her. She had been scammed.
Desperation turned into rage. She threatened to report them, but the agent vanished. The Telegram group was deleted.
The numbers she had been calling were switched off.
By March 18, reality had settled in, her hard-earned money was gone. Her husband reported the complaint.
Not Just One Victim
Sneha’s case is just one of many. In Mangaluru alone, a school teacher and a computer operator lost a combined ₹15 lakh in similar scams.
The script was always the same: a Facebook ad, a Telegram group, small wins, big investments, and then—nothing.
These scammers operate in highly coordinated networks, making it nearly impossible to trace the money. By the time victims realize the fraud, their funds have already been laundered through multiple accounts.
Lessons from the Trap
These scams thrive on one simple human tendency: trust in small victories.
A little profit here, a little more there, until you’re so deep in that pulling out seems impossible. The more you invest, the harder it is to admit you’ve been fooled.
If you’re ever tempted by such online jobs or investments, remember:
- High returns with zero risk don’t exist.
- Never send money to unlock a job
- Look for red flags like a lack of an official website, vague company details, or scripted responses.
- Talk to someone before making big financial decisions.
Sneha’s story is a cautionary tale, one that many have lived through, and many more will if these scams continue unchecked.
The digital age is full of opportunities, but it’s also a hunting ground for scammers. Stay alert. Stay skeptical. Stay safe.
What to Do If You Get Scammed
If you or someone you know falls victim to such fraud, take immediate action.
Register with us, and our team will assist you in filing a complaint and ensuring proper follow-ups to help recover the lost amount.
Conclusion
Scammers prey on vulnerability, hope, and greed. They create illusions of easy money and exploit trust. Sneha never imagined that clicking a Facebook ad could cost her ₹16.4 lakh.
But now, she shares her story to warn others.
The next time you see a “work-from-home” opportunity that seems too good to be true, trust your instincts. Click away.
