Scrolling Instagram reels costs Mumbai woman Rs 6.37 lakh, here’s how

Imagine casually scrolling through Instagram reels and coming across an ad that promises easy money for a few simple online tasks. Sounds tempting, right? Unfortunately, for a woman from Mumbai’s Gorai area, this too-good-to-be-true opportunity turned into a nightmare, costing her Rs 6.37 lakh. Keep reading to know what happened and how you can avoid falling victim to similar scams.

On November 30, the woman was browsing social media reels when she stumbled upon an advertisement offering a part-time job. The ad claimed she could earn money by simply liking videos online. Intrigued, she clicked the link, which redirected her to a Telegram group. Here, the fraudsters explained the process, making it seem legitimate.

Also read: Mumbai woman loses Rs 2.6 cr after being added to a WhatsApp group: How the scam unfolded

To gain her trust, the scammers initially sent her small payments for liking videos. Seeing real money in her account, the woman believed the scheme was genuine. The fraudsters then convinced her to invest larger sums in similar tasks, promising high returns.

Over three transactions, the woman transferred Rs 6.37 lakh. However, when the promised profits failed to materialise, she contacted the fraudsters. Instead of delivering her earnings, they demanded more money as tax to release the funds, reports The Free Press Journal. Realising she had been duped, the woman lodged a complaint with Borivali Police.

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

How to protect yourself from such scams

• Verify the source: Always check the authenticity of job offers, especially those shared through social media or messaging apps.
• Beware of unrealistic promises: If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Avoid sharing personal information: Don’t share sensitive details or transfer money to unknown individuals or groups.
• Report suspicious activity: If you come across a suspicious advertisement, report it to the platform immediately.
• Stay informed: Educate yourself and others about common online scams to prevent falling victim.