A 26-year-old sales executive from Vadodara has fallen victim to a sophisticated cyber fraud, losing ₹16.60 lakh to a gang that posed as online employers offering commissions for “website review tasks.”
The Vadodara Cyber Crime Police have registered a case and begun tracing digital footprints after the victim alleged he was tricked by fraudsters using multiple Telegram accounts and fake investment websites that mimicked legitimate platforms.
The youth was drawn in by offers of quick earnings — a familiar lure in India’s growing wave of “task-based” cyber scams, which have evolved from fake trading and crypto platforms into crowdsourced review schemes.
The Deceptive Workflow
According to the complaint, the fraud began on July 13, 2025, when the victim received a Telegram message inviting him to earn commissions by “reviewing” and “liking” products on websites.
He was told to register on multiple online portals and transfer small amounts to unlock higher-paying tasks.
To build trust, the scammers initially credited him ₹52,854, creating an illusion of profit. Convinced of the scheme’s legitimacy, he continued transferring larger sums, ultimately losing ₹16.60 lakh over several weeks.
By the time he realized the trap, the accounts were deactivated, and his Telegram contacts had vanished.
Investigators Trace the Digital Trail
The Vadodara Cyber Crime Police have launched a probe to identify the perpetrators and are tracking digital wallets, bank transfers, and Telegram handles linked to the case. Officials suspect the gang may be part of a wider cyber-fraud syndicate operating across multiple states.
“We are analyzing financial and server logs to locate the money trail,” said a senior officer. “These scams often originate abroad, using anonymous apps and cryptocurrency layers to evade detection.”
Police have also urged the public to avoid sharing personal or banking details on unverified portals and to verify the legitimacy of online job offers through official company websites.
A Pattern of Online Deception
Cybercrime experts say this case fits a growing pattern where scammers gamify online investment traps by offering small initial profits before demanding larger deposits.
Such schemes exploit psychological trust — especially among young professionals seeking side income.
Authorities have reiterated that citizens should report any suspicious links or payment requests to cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930, the national cyber fraud helpline.
“These scams rely on illusion — the illusion of reward, the illusion of control,” said a cybersecurity analyst in Ahmedabad. “Once the victim feels invested, the losses multiply.”
