Online hotel review scam costs man over Rs 7 lakh: How to avoid such scams

We’ve all seen tempting offers online—easy money for simple tasks, like reviewing products or services from the comfort of our homes. But not all that glitters is gold. A recent scam has left one man from Tiruppur with a massive loss of over Rs 7 lakh, all because he believed an online part-time job offering high returns. Here’s how he fell victim to the fraud and what you can do to protect yourself from similar scams.

It started innocently enough when the man received a message from a girl on a messenger platform offering him a part-time job. The task seemed simple: review hotels based on customer feedback, and in return, he would receive a commission. The opportunity appeared genuine, and the man decided to give it a shot.

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He was given access to a fake website where he reviewed about 90 hotels. After completing the task, his account showed a credit of Rs 959, reports The Hindu. To continue, he was asked to pay Rs 8,000 for the next assignment. He complied, and after paying, his balance increased to Rs 15,917. Encouraged by the profits, he continued to invest more money and complete assignments. Over time, he invested a total of Rs 7,31,166 and saw his account show a profit of Rs 10.9 lakh.

However, when he tried to withdraw the money, the website blocked his request. The scammers told him he had to pay 50 percent of the amount before he could make a withdrawal. Realising that something was off, the man understood he had been scammed and filed a complaint with the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.

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How to protect yourself from such scams

• Be skeptical of unsolicited offers: If someone you don’t know offers a “too good to be true” job, especially with promises of easy money, be cautious.
• Verify job opportunities: Always check the legitimacy of a company or website before making any investments or providing personal details.
• Never pay upfront: Avoid any job or investment that asks for money upfront, especially if the return seems suspiciously high.
• Report suspicious activities: If you suspect you are a victim of fraud, report it immediately to the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or your local authorities.