Cyber fraudsters duped a private company employee of ₹11.31 lakh by luring him with the promise of part-time online income. The victim was told he would earn ₹200 per task for sharing YouTube channel links. The fraudsters built trust through small initial payouts and later extracted a large amount in the name of “investment”, after which all communication stopped. A case has been registered at the cyber crime police station and an investigation is underway.
Shailendra Kumar Yadav, a resident of Etmaduddaula and originally from Sultanpur, was looking for a source of additional income online. On January 4, he was added to a WhatsApp group by an unknown number offering work-from-home opportunities. He was later shifted to a Telegram group where he was asked to subscribe to YouTube channels and share screenshots as proof of task completion. The offer of ₹200 per task made the work appear legitimate.
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Trust built through small payments
Initially, the fraudsters transferred ₹600 to his account for sharing three links. He was then offered “premium tasks” that required depositing money. After paying ₹2,000, he received ₹2,800; after depositing ₹5,000, he was sent ₹8,060. These small returns reinforced his confidence and created the impression of a genuine earning model.
Encouraged by the apparent profits, he was persuaded to take up higher-value tasks promising larger returns. Over time, he transferred a total of ₹11,31,400 to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters. He was then asked to deposit an additional ₹8,33,361. When payments stopped and responses ceased in the group, he realised he had been cheated and approached the cyber crime police.
Suspected multi-layer fraud module
Investigators suspect an organised cyber fraud module operating through WhatsApp and Telegram, using multiple bank accounts and money-mule networks to route and withdraw funds. KYC details of the beneficiary accounts, digital wallet trails, IP logs and chat records are being analysed to identify other members of the syndicate.
Warning from Future Crime Research Foundation
According to a recent analysis by the Future Crime Research Foundation, task-based cyber frauds are rapidly becoming structured and scalable in India. The foundation describes scams involving YouTube subscriptions, app reviews, hotel ratings and link sharing as a “low-entry, high-scale” model, where fraudsters first return small amounts to build credibility and then push victims into making larger deposits.
The report also notes that such networks typically rely on Telegram channels, fake payment gateways, mule bank accounts and inter-state SIM card chains, making transaction tracing more difficult.
Psychological manipulation at play
Experts say fraudsters use a “reward loop” strategy—offering early gains to create a sense of success, followed by time-bound “VIP tasks” that pressure victims into quick decisions. This reduces risk perception and leads to larger fund transfers.
Police advisory and preventive steps
Cyber police have urged citizens not to trust part-time earning offers from unknown WhatsApp or Telegram groups. Any task that requires upfront payment is a key indicator of fraud. Only verified platforms and official websites should be used for online work opportunities.
Victims of suspicious transactions are advised to immediately call the cyber helpline 1930 or file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal, as funds can sometimes be frozen if reported promptly.
The investigation is ongoing, and officials hope that banking data, money trails and digital evidence will lead to other members of the network. The case underscores the growing threat of organised task-based cyber fraud, where small initial payouts are used to trap victims into significant financial losses.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
