Hyderabad housewife loses Rs 4.5 lakh in task completion scam: Here’s what happened

In today’s digital world, it’s easy to fall for promises of quick and easy money. A recent incident in Hyderabad highlights just how convincing scammers can be. A 40-year-old housewife lost nearly Rs 4.5 lakh to fraudsters who lured her into a fake online investment scheme. Keep reading to know how the scam unfolded and how you can avoid falling victim to similar traps.

It all started when the woman received a WhatsApp message from scammers claiming to offer a simple job. They promised to pay her for promoting videos and photos by liking, rating, and sharing them. The task seemed harmless enough, and the initial payment she received after completing a few tasks made her believe the scheme was legitimate.

Also read: Credit card scam: How a gang used fake calls to steal from over 50 users

The scammers first asked her to give a 5-star rating and after completing the task, she was paid Rs 120. Encouraged by this, she completed another task and received Rs 300. This small success made her think the job was real, and she eagerly asked how she could start working more. The scammers then sent her a link via WhatsApp to create an account.

Once she joined, the fraudsters told her she needed to pay Rs 1,000 to start the next phase, assuring her that she would get Rs 1,300 in return. The payment was made, and true to their word, the scammers refunded the amount. This continued with more tasks, and with each completed task, they convinced her to invest larger sums of money, promising bigger returns.

However, after she had paid a total of Rs 4,49,740, the scammers stopped returning any money. Despite their continued promises of a refund and profits, they asked for even more money, which the victim refused to pay. She has filed a complaint with the police, urging them to take action against the fraudsters.

Also read: Hyderabad family loses Rs 5.5 cr after 17 days of digital arrest: How to protect yourself from such scams

How to avoid such scams

• Be cautious of unknown messages: If you receive an offer out of the blue, especially one promising easy money, think twice before engaging.
• Don’t trust unfamiliar links: Always be cautious about clicking on links sent via messages or social media.
• Avoid upfront payments: Genuine jobs or investments will not require you to pay money upfront for any task or opportunity.
• Research before you invest: Always verify the legitimacy of any scheme by looking for reviews or reports online.
• Report suspicious activities: If something feels off, report it to authorities or relevant platforms immediately.