A fresh cyber fraud case from Mumbai highlights the growing sophistication and cunning of digital scams. A 26-year-old woman fell prey to cybercriminals who lured her with an online part-time task opportunity, ultimately cheating her out of over ₹7 lakh.
Despite exercising caution and financial awareness, the woman ended up pledging her family’s gold and silver to meet the scammers’ escalating demands.
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Online Job Advertisement Becomes a Trap
According to police sources, the victim noticed an online advertisement for a part-time job offering easy earnings for tasks such as clicking reels and social media posts.
She expressed interest immediately. Soon, cyber fraudsters contacted her and added her to a Telegram group, where the job details were explained. Initially, she was asked to click on a few links as part of the task.
Fake Virtual Account Balance Creates Illusion of Earnings
The victim’s virtual wallet showed a credit of ₹1,040, giving the impression that her bank account had received the money. Excited by the apparent earnings, she attempted to withdraw the funds.
However, the scammers instructed her to deposit money into multiple bank accounts, claiming it was necessary to release her earnings. She complied, unaware that this was part of a deliberate scheme to extract more funds.
Escalating Demands Lead to Family Assets Being Pledged
As she deposited more money, the fraudsters’ demands grew. Ultimately, she pledged her family’s gold and silver to continue meeting their requirements, even transferring additional funds.
The deception became clear when the scammers’ contact numbers went silent, leaving the woman aware that she had been victimized in a cyber fraud.
Police Action Initiated
The victim filed a complaint with the police. Authorities have registered an FIR against three individuals and launched an investigation into the matter.
Expert Advice on Avoiding Cyber Scams
Cybercrime experts note that fake online jobs and virtual wallet balances are common tactics used by scammers. They advise citizens to remain vigilant:
- Avoid clicking on unverified online jobs and links.
- Always verify any digital payment before proceeding.
- Exercise caution when sharing personal or financial information online.
- Immediately report any suspicious monetary demands to the police or cyber cell.
Rising Threat of Digital Fraud
This incident underscores the increasing threat of digital fraud, where scammers use emotional pressure and deception to extract money. Small initial transactions and fake balances in virtual accounts are used to gain victims’ trust.
Both the government and police are now running awareness campaigns to educate citizens about such schemes.
The Mumbai case serves as a stark warning of the growing dangers of cyber fraud in the digital era. Anyone engaging in online tasks or jobs must prioritize verification, vigilance, and family security before making any payments.
