Cybercrime cases are on the rise in Faridabad, with fraudsters duping people through fake part-time job offers, online trading schemes, and bill-update scams. Three victims lost ₹25.17 lakh in separate incidents.
Over 15 Cyber Complaints Filed Daily
Cyber fraud incidents in Faridabad have been increasing steadily. Police officials said that an average of 15 complaints are being registered daily across the district’s cyber police stations. Most cases involve online investment traps, part-time job scams, or fake customer service calls.
Officers attributed the rise in cases to lack of awareness among citizens and the temptation of easy profits, which cybercriminals continue to exploit.
₹11.81 Lakh Lost in Part-Time Job Scam
A resident of Sector 45 reported that he was added to a WhatsApp group on November 30 by an unknown number. The group promoted part-time job opportunities promising income from home by completing simple online tasks like “liking videos.”
Initially, the victim received small rewards to gain trust. Later, he was assigned “prepaid tasks” that required transferring ₹11.81 lakh across several bank accounts. When he attempted to withdraw his earnings, the fraudsters demanded additional payments. Realizing he had been cheated, he immediately filed a complaint.
Woman Duped ₹4 Lakh Through Telegram Trading Scheme
A woman from Sector 30, Shramik Vihar, told police she fell prey to a Telegram-based trading scam. She had clicked on an advertisement claiming high profits through online trading and was added to a Telegram group.
There, the scammers lured her into investing money for greater returns. Under this pretext, she transferred ₹4,09,898 to multiple accounts. When she asked to withdraw her funds, she was removed from the group and all communication was cut off.
Fake IGL Call Leads to Phone Hack, ₹8.46 Lakh Stolen
In another case, a resident of Delhi’s Kalkaji, employed at Al-Falah University in Dhauj, received a call on December 5 from someone claiming to be from the Indraprastha Gas Limited (IGL) office. The caller said his gas bill needed updating and sent him an APK file to download.
As soon as the victim clicked on the link, his phone was hacked, and within minutes, ₹8,46,580 was withdrawn from his bank account in multiple transactions. He later lodged a complaint at the Faridabad cyber police station.
Police Warn Against Suspicious Calls and Links
Police confirmed that FIRs have been registered in all three cases and investigations are underway. Officials said cybercriminals are adopting increasingly sophisticated methods, using social media and messaging apps to target victims.
“People must remain cautious and avoid clicking on unknown links or sharing personal information,” a senior officer said. Authorities urged citizens to report suspicious activities immediately via the National Cyber Helpline (1930) or www.cybercrime.gov.in.
Awareness Is the Best Defense
Experts emphasized that awareness and vigilance remain the most effective defense against cyber fraud. People should always verify the authenticity of online job offers, investment ads, or app links before engaging.
Police noted that in most cases, victims acted out of greed or urgency, allowing fraudsters to access their banking details. Authorities reiterated that education and cyber awareness campaigns are key to reducing such crimes.
