In a distressing incident, a law student hailing from Thane has been defrauded of Rs. 2.42 Lakh after falling prey to an online scam related to YouTube video liking. The scammers allegedly approached the student through WhatsApp.
The 32-year-old law student, according to sources, sent her resume to a job-search website in April 2023. She subsequently got a text message offering her a part-time job from a scammer posing as a media business. The con artiste made financial promises in exchange for YouTube video likes and subscribers. The student agreed to the assignment since it offered the chance to earn extra money, and she watched three videos as directed.
The con artiste paid the student Rs. 150 as a token of initial good faith for the likes. The youngster was then requested to join a Telegram group with 105 members after being encouraged by the little payment.
Trusting the scammers, the law student agreed to invest Rs. 2,000 as instructed and transferred the amount to a UPI ID. In return, she was promised a sum of Rs 2,800. As the scam progressed, the fraudsters convinced the victim to invest larger sums, promising even higher returns.
The student eventually followed the crooks’ directions and sent Rs. 5,000, then Rs. 20,000, Rs. 50,000, and Rs. 80,000. The anticipated returns, however, never materialised, putting the student in a position of ruin.
The con artistes persisted and demanded more money from the victim with the promise of earning Rs. 1.1 Lakh in return. The student saw Rs. 1.1 Lakh being added to her account, but she was unable to withdraw the money, which made her believe she had been defrauded.
The realisation of the scam finally hit her when she deposited an additional Rs. 1 Lakh to withdraw her money, but no returns were received. At this point, the law student realised that she had fallen victim to a fraudulent scheme.
Soon after, the victim approached the authorities and filed a complaint with the Wagle Estate police station, seeking justice and assistance in recovering her lost funds.
This incident serves as a cautionary tale for individuals seeking part-time job opportunities online. It is crucial to exercise caution, verify the legitimacy of offers, and refrain from sharing personal information or making financial transactions with unknown entities. Online job seekers are advised to use reputable job portals and platforms to mitigate the risk of falling prey to such scams.