The promise of a part-time job turned into a costly trap for 30-year-old Alka Kumari, who lost ₹4.98 lakh to cybercriminals in what police describe as a digital investment fraud.
The fraud began on September 3, when Kumari received a Telegram message claiming to represent Amazon’s part-time program. Her task seemed harmless: add products to a shopping cart, take screenshots, and send them back. To earn her trust, the scammers credited ₹150 to her account after a few tasks.
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Escalation Into Investment
Encouraged by the initial payment, Kumari performed more assignments and was soon shifted to another Telegram group. Here, she was introduced to a so-called “investment program.” She began with ₹5,000, but each time she deposited money, she was persuaded to invest more.
By the end of the week, Kumari had transferred ₹4.98 lakh. When she tried to withdraw her money, the fraudsters demanded additional deposits, a clear red flag. Realizing the scam, she lodged a police complaint.
Expert View: Hybrid Frauds on the Rise
Cybercrime specialist Professor Triveni Singh, a former IPS officer, explained how these scams operate:
“Such frauds are hybrid in nature. Scammers begin with small, credible payouts to win trust, then escalate to bigger investments. Victims are psychologically manipulated into believing the next step will always yield higher returns — until it collapses.”
Anonymity and Enforcement Challenges
Investigators said encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram make such frauds difficult to trace. “The anonymity of these networks shields criminals, complicating enforcement,” an officer said.
Police have registered a case and are probing possible interstate links, as the network appears to be larger than a single group.
A Growing Threat
Authorities warn that online job scams are proliferating across India, exploiting both technology and human psychology. Kumari’s case underscores a harsh reality: in the digital age, easy earnings often come at the cost of devastating losses.