Three separate victims in Pune lost a combined Rs 12 lakh to online “task fraud” schemes between June and December 2025, with cases registered at Nanded City, Lohegaon, and Parvati police stations on January 9, 2026. These scams follow a classic pattern of small initial payouts building false trust before escalating prepaid task demands, highlighting Pune’s growing vulnerability to cyber fraud amid rising unemployment and digital adoption.
Final Call: FCRF Opens Last Registration Window for GRC and DPO Certifications
Lohegaon Resident Duped of Rs 5.34 Lakh in December Ramp-Up
A 31-year-old Lohegaon resident fell victim in December 2025 when cyber crooks offered easy money for simple online tasks like ratings and surveys. Initial small profits via UPI transfers created confidence, but fraudsters soon demanded “prepaid task fees” for higher returns, extracting Rs 5.34 lakh across multiple accounts before vanishing. Lohegaon Police registered the FIR after the victim realized the app dashboard showing fake profits was bogus.
This mirrors national trends—Pune Cyber Cell reports 300+ task frauds in Q4 2025 alone, with losses exceeding Rs 50 crore citywide. Telegram groups and fake apps host these operations, often Cambodian/Chinese-backed.
Dattawadi Fabricator Loses Rs 4.83 Lakh to Daily Wage Lure
Parvati Police booked fraudsters after a 37-year-old fabrication businessman from Dattawadi lost Rs 4.83 lakh in November 2025. Promised Rs 2,500 daily for “rating tasks,” he transferred escalating amounts for “prepaid levels,” watching a sham portal display Rs 10 lakh profits. Withdrawal demands for “tax clearance” exposed the con; victim severed contact.
Police trace similar gangs to Southeast Asia; Pune’s IT hub status attracts sophisticated ops using Hindi dashboards mimicking legit platforms like Meesho/Amazon tasks.
Khadakwasla Woman’s Rs 3.88 Lakh Hotel Rating Scam (June 2025)
Nanded City Police registered a June 2025 case where a 26-year-old private firm employee from Khadakwasla lost Rs 3.88 lakh. Crooks tasked her with hotel ratings, paying Rs 1,500 initially before prepaid demands drained her accounts. Online complaint triggered FIR after digital forensics confirmed mule trails.
Task Fraud Ecosystem: Anatomy and National Context
Classic 4-Stage Playbook:
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Hook: Free/low-risk tasks (like/dislike, ratings)
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Trust: Small refunds (Rs 200-2K) via UPI
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Escalation: Prepaid tasks promising 2-5x returns
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Trap: Fake profits shown; withdrawal fees demanded
Pune joins Mumbai (Rs 200Cr losses 2025), Bengaluru hotspots. NCRB: Task scams up 600% YoY, targeting Tier-2 graduates (18-35 age). PCC Cyber recovered Rs 24.4Cr last year; 1930 helpline flags 50 daily Pune calls.
Victim Profile:
- Jobless youth/ homemakers (60%)
- Small business owners (25%)
- Average loss: Rs 3-7 lakh
Police Response and Prevention Measures
Pune Cyber Cell deploys AI scrapers blocking 1,000 Telegram channels monthly. FIRs under BNS 318(4) cheating, IT Act 66D; I4C freezes Rs 15Cr Pune accounts. PCC SP warns: “No legit task pays upfront—report within 1 hour for 80% recovery.”
Essential Safety Protocols:
- Never fund “prepaid tasks”
- Verify apps via Play Store ratings/reviews
- Set UPI daily limits (Rs 5K)
- Screenshot chats before blocking
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
