Nainital. A major cyber fraud case has been reported from Haldwani in Uttarakhand, where a woman was allegedly cheated of ₹15.47 lakh after being lured into a fake online earning scheme involving 5-star rating tasks. The fraud began with a Facebook link and escalated through WhatsApp and Telegram groups, where the victim was gradually drawn into a well-structured scam network.
Facebook Link Led To WhatsApp Group
The victim, a resident of Neelium Colony in Haldwani, stated in her complaint that she first came across an attractive link on Facebook. After clicking it, she was added to a WhatsApp group where she was told that simple online tasks could generate easy income. Initially, she was assigned basic work such as giving 5-star ratings to well-known restaurants, which helped build her trust in the system.
Registration Begins for FutureCrime Summit 2026, India’s Largest Cybercrime Conference
On May 31, the fraudsters asked her to move to Telegram for further instructions. On Telegram, the communication became more structured, and the accused allegedly presented themselves as representatives of a government-certified online earning platform. This claim further convinced the victim that the opportunity was legitimate.
Victim Paid ₹15.47 Lakh In Instalments
Soon after, the woman was sent a link to a fake website where she was instructed to complete tasks and “fix technical errors” to earn higher returns. The fraudsters repeatedly assured her that the money she was depositing would be returned along with significant profits.
According to the victim, between June 1 and June 3, she transferred ₹15.47 lakh in multiple instalments through IMPS, Quick Pay, and Paytm into different bank accounts provided by the accused. Initially, she was shown small returns to maintain confidence, but when she later demanded her money back, the fraudsters stopped responding and disconnected all communication.
Police Trace Bank Accounts
Realising she had been cheated, the woman approached the Haldwani police station and lodged a formal complaint. Following the complaint, an FIR was registered and an investigation was launched into the case.
Police officials said that the investigation is currently focused on tracing the bank accounts used in the fraud and identifying the digital trail of transactions. Technical teams are also analysing the communication channels and payment gateways used by the accused.
Authorities noted that such cyber frauds typically operate by targeting victims through social media platforms and messaging apps. Fraudsters initially offer small rewards or payments to gain trust and later convince victims to invest larger amounts under the promise of higher returns.
Advisory Issued Against Easy Money Scams
Police have issued an advisory urging the public to remain cautious of any online offers promising easy money through tasks, investments, or rating-based jobs. Citizens have also been advised not to share sensitive financial information such as bank details, OTPs, or UPI PINs with unknown individuals or links.
Investigators further stated that cybercriminals often shift networks quickly and use multiple mule accounts to route money, making it difficult to trace funds in real time. Efforts are ongoing to identify the broader network involved in the scam.
The case once again highlights the growing threat of social media-based financial frauds, where unsuspecting individuals are targeted through fake job offers and online earning schemes.
