A 29-year-old woman in Delhi, seeking employment, fell victim to a Telegram-based scam promising high-paying remote work. The accused offered commissions for simple tasks like reviews and online payments, convincing the woman to make UPI transfers to unlock “higher-level incentives.” What started with small returns soon spiraled into massive financial loss.
The Arrest: Crypto Trail Leads to Syndicate
Delhi Police nabbed five people, including a 19-year-old school dropout and a 47-year-old illegal crypto trader named Nidhi Agarwal. Officials revealed that the scammers used mule bank accounts to receive the victim’s funds, which were then converted into USDT cryptocurrency, complicating the money trail.
The Modus Operandi: Reviews, UPI, and Repetition
Operating via Telegram, the fraudsters manipulated victims into performing repetitive tasks, promising exaggerated returns. Victims were encouraged to make UPI payments under false pretenses, a method designed to extract as much money as possible while maintaining an illusion of legitimacy.
The Bigger Picture: Rise of Online Task Frauds
This case adds to the growing number of online task scams in India. Fraudsters exploit the post-pandemic surge in remote work culture and unemployment, especially among women. Authorities have warned citizens to remain cautious of unsolicited offers over messaging apps, urging them to verify job opportunities through official channels.