Businessman loses Rs 57 lakh after falling for part-time job scam: Here’s what happened

In today’s digital age, many people are on the lookout for easy ways to earn money online. But unfortunately, not all opportunities are as legitimate as they seem. A 27-year-old businessman from the electrical poles industry recently found this out the hard way after falling victim to a part-time job scam that cost him Rs 57.75 lakh.

It all started on August 16, when the businessman received a message on Telegram from a woman named Ansuya. She promised him an easy part-time job that would pay Rs 4,650 for just three hours of online work each day. The offer seemed too good to pass up, so he decided to give it a try.

Two days later, another woman named Abhinaya reached out to him, claiming to be associated with a company called ‘Mango Fashion.’ She convinced him to register on their platform, where he was credited with a Rs 10,000 bonus in his digital wallet. As he completed tasks, his wallet balance grew, which made him believe the opportunity was genuine.

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Encouraged by the increasing balance, Abhinaya pushed him to invest further in Mango Fashion, promising even higher returns. Over time, the businessman transferred a total of Rs 58.06 lakh to 11 different bank accounts provided by the scammers. His digital wallet showed a balance of Rs 76 lakh, including profits, but when he tried to withdraw the money, he was only able to get Rs 30,858 in two small transactions.

Realising that he had been scammed after repeated failed withdrawal attempts, he contacted the cybercrime helpline and filed a complaint. 

Also read: Mangaluru man loses Rs 6.6 lakh after receiving fake Canara Bank KYC link on WhatsApp

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Be cautious of too-good-to-be-true offers: If something sounds too easy or lucrative, it’s worth double-checking its legitimacy.
• Verify the source: Before sharing personal information or money, research the company or individual offering the opportunity.
• Don’t make hasty investments: If you’re being pressured to invest large sums of money quickly, it’s a red flag.
• Use official channels: Always report suspicious activities to the cybercrime helpline or local authorities to avoid falling victim to scams.