Bengaluru
A disconcerting trend of online scams targeting tech professionals in Bangalore has surfaced, with a recent incident revealing the fraudulent activities where scammers deceived individuals under the guise of part-time work. Amit, a professor at an engineering college located on Sarjapur Road, became a victim of this deceitful scheme. The scam unfolded when Amit came across an advertisement on WhatsApp promising substantial earnings through a ‘work-from-home’ opportunity. The ad claimed that individuals could earn between 5,000 to 7,000 rupees daily by promoting and subscribing to YouTube channels. Intrigued by the lucrative offer, Amit engaged with the scammers behind the advertisement. The fraudsters lured Amit into a prepaid plan, instructing him to join a Telegram group via a sent link. Subsequently, he was abruptly removed from the initial WhatsApp group, leaving him solely connected to the scammers through Telegram. Initially investing Rs. 1,000 in the scheme, Amit reaped returns of Rs. 1,500, which encouraged him to further engage with the scam. Convinced by the promised returns, he invested a substantial amount of Rs. 5.22 lakh, hoping for returns exceeding Rs. 10 lakh. However, as he made this significant investment, the fraudsters swiftly removed Amit from the Telegram group, severing all communication. Left reeling from this deceit, Amit, alarmed by the turn of events, sought assistance from the cyber crime police in the hopes of rectifying the situation. This distressing incident highlights the need for heightened awareness and vigilance among individuals regarding online scams, emphasizing the necessity of caution and due diligence before engaging in such lucrative but potentially fraudulent schemes. Authorities have been urged to take stringent action against such cybercriminal activities to prevent further victimization of unsuspecting victims.
