Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Nov 15: A 28-year-old man was allegedly defrauded of Rs 4.49 lac after falling prey to an online 'work from home' part-time job scam. A case in this regard has been registered at the CEN police station in the city.
The complainant, who makes a living through dairy farming and agriculture, was searching for a part-time job to earn an extra income. In September, he had uploaded his resume on the job portal Shine.com.
On November 3, his mobile number was added to a WhatsApp group named 'ap5t'. Later, a woman identifying herself as Neha Sharma contacted him, claiming to be an employee of a company named iProspect India. She offered him a part-time work-from-home job, promising daily earnings of Rs 50 to Rs 200 for completing specific tasks given by the company.
Believing her, the youth completed the assigned tasks and initially received the promised payments. On November 4, the fraudsters introduced a 'Flipkart bonus task', luring him with a profit of Rs 1,200 for investments ranging between Rs 1,000 and Rs 18,000.
Gaining confidence after receiving profits on his initial small investments, the victim was lured into investing larger amounts for higher returns. Between November 4 and 11, he transferred a total of Rs 4.49 lac in phases. However, the fraudsters eventually stopped paying the dividends and failed to return the principal amount.
Realising he had been duped, the youth lodged a police complaint seeking legal action against the unknown culprits.
How to stay safe?
Vigilance is the key to avoiding such scams. If you receive such calls, never fall for the trap. Remember, police officials never initiate cases online or ask for money.
Most importantly, the term “digital arrest” is fabricated by scammers and does not exist in Indian law. If someone threatens you with it, it is undoubtedly a scam.
Additionally, never share bank details, OTPs, or other sensitive information over phone calls or messages, regardless of the caller’s claims. If you suspect a scam, report it to the authorities and your bank immediately. Quick action can help prevent further losses.