TL;DR
- A Pune man received a message on the Messenger app.
- The message claimed he could earn Rs. 150 by doing small online tasks.
- At first, he got money, but later, fraudsters robbed him of 11.5 lakh.
Online fraud is increasingly prevalent these days. From time to time, there are reports of innocent individuals losing money through various scams, both online and offline. The latest incident involves a man from Pune who lost 11.5 lakh due to a task scam.
Have you ever received a text message that promises quick cash for completing simple online tasks? If so, you are not alone. These scams are becoming more frequent, and a similar event occurred with a man from Shukrawar Peth in Pune, highlighting how dangerous this can be. A dealer in used vehicles lost a staggering sum of Rs. 11.5 lakh after falling victim to one of these task scams.
ALSO SEE: Exclusive: OPPO A5 5G Key Specs and Pricing Revealed Ahead of India Launch
What actually happened?
It began when the man received a notification on his mobile messaging application stating that he could earn Rs. 150 simply by performing minor online tasks such as liking a video or writing a review. Intrigued, the man chose to give it a shot, and to his astonishment, the promised funds were instantly deposited into his bank account.
According to a report by TOI, this success boosted the man’s confidence, prompting him to undertake additional tasks that were sent to him after he was added to a group on the messaging app. Each time, he received his payment promptly.
However, shortly thereafter, the situation escalated as the fraudsters presented him with an opportunity to increase his earnings by undertaking what they referred to as merchant tasks. This time, they requested that the man deposit money upfront, assuring him that he would receive payment later. Convinced that he could earn even more, the victim consented and sent money to several accounts.
Subsequently, when he attempted to withdraw his funds, the fraudsters requested additional money, providing various justifications. In the following two days, the individual lost a total of 11.5 lakh rupees. The victim lodged a complaint with the Khadak police on Wednesday.
The incident urges us to be more careful so that we don’t end up falling for such scams.
ALSO SEE: Lava Storm Play 5G Debuts in India with World’s First Dimensity 7060 Chipset
How to Stay Safe from Task Scams Online
ALSO SEE: Rockstar Games Announces Money Fronts Update for GTA Online
1. Prior to investing any time or money, conduct thorough research on the company providing the funds. Look for news articles and reviews regarding the company.
2. If a task appears to offer excessive compensation for minimal effort, it is likely a scam.
3. Do not pay any fees to gain access to higher-level tasks or to upgrade your account. Legitimate companies do not require upfront payments to begin.
4. If you come across any dubious offers, report them to the appropriate authorities and cybercrime reporting websites.
5. Keep yourself updated on the latest scams and educate your family and acquaintances to help them steer clear of these fraudulent schemes.
6. Exercise caution when sharing personal information, such as bank account details or other sensitive information, with strangers.
You can follow Smartprix on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Google News. Visit smartprix.com for the latest tech and auto news, reviews, and guides.
