Another day, another case of online job scams where a victim based in Mandamarri town in Telangana lost ₹2.12 Lakh.
As per the report, the fraudster approached him via Telegram, offering an easy way to make money by putting simple Google reviews.
Victim identified the scam much later when he failed to withdraw his amount. Let’s get into the details of the rising trend of such scams and learn ways to protect yourself.
Uncovering The Online Job Scam
This all started with one message on Telegram, offering quick earning opportunities by reviewing Google Search results.
Seeing it an easy way, the victim subscribed for it and also earned some profit in the earning. Later, the scammer encouraged him to earn more with prepaid tasks.
Trusting the process, the victim continued adding funds and completing small tasks.
However, when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, he realized he had not only lost his supposed profits but also the additional amount he had invested to unlock more tasks.
When he tried to contact the scammer, his calls went unanswered. Eventually, in chasing quick money, another victim lost his hard-earned savings.
Increasing Cases of Online Job Frauds
This is not an isolated case. Many other similar cases of telegram scams in India have been reported across the country.
One such prepaid task scam is reported in Hyderabad, where Police arrested a 30-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh for duping individuals of ₹15 lakh by promising fake jobs in Dubai.
The accused operated a call center in Delhi and had multiple job fraud cases linked to his name.
In short, online job scams have become a significant concern in India, reflecting a troubling trend in the employment landscape.
Between 2020 and 2023, job offer scams accounted for approximately 15% of all reported cybercrimes in the country.
In 2022, job seekers collectively lost around ₹150 crore to fake job scams.
Furthermore, a survey revealed that 70% of respondents encountered fake job offers for non-existent positions, and 26% came across fraudulent recruitment agencies exploiting job seekers’ trust.
How to Stay Safe from Online Job Scams
With the rise of cyber frauds, it is crucial to adopt precautionary measures to avoid falling victim to such scams:
- Verify Job Offers: Always cross-check job opportunities with official company websites and verify recruiter details.
- Beware of Upfront Payments: Genuine employers never ask for money in exchange for job placements.
- Use Secure Communication Channels: Avoid interacting with unknown job recruiters on platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp.
- Report Suspicious Activity: Know how to report online frauds in India and recovery losses.
The alarming rise in cyber fraud cases calls for increased awareness and vigilance. By staying informed and cautious, individuals can protect themselves from falling prey to online scams.
In case, you have been a victim of any such scam, then act quickly. Fill in the details in the form below and our team will contact you to assist you in reporting the scam and in processing recovery of losses!
