In a recent case of online fraud, a woman from the Gorai area of Mumbai lost a significant sum of Rs 6.37 lakh after falling for a scam promoted through an Instagram ad. The advertisement, which initially promised quick and easy earnings through a part-time job, enticed her into clicking a link that led to a Telegram group. The scam, which targeted individuals looking for simple ways to make money, relied on false promises of high earnings for minimal effort, preying on the victim’s desire for quick financial gain.
The incident unfolded on November 30 at around 11 AM when the woman came across an Instagram reel advertising an easy part-time job. The ad claimed that users could earn money by simply liking videos online. Intrigued by the opportunity, she clicked on the link, which redirected her to a Telegram group where the scammers posed as job coordinators. They initially presented simple tasks, such as liking videos, for which she received small payments. Encouraged by these initial rewards, the woman continued to follow the tasks.
The fraudsters then exploited her trust, encouraging her to invest more money into higher-paying tasks that promised even greater returns. They assured her that these larger investments would lead to significant profits. Believing the scammers due to the positive reinforcement of the small payments she had received, the woman transferred Rs 6.37 lakh throughout three transactions. However, when the promised profits failed to materialize, the scammers demanded additional payments, claiming they were necessary to cover a "tax" in order to release her earnings.
Realizing she had been duped, the woman turned to the police for help, filing a report with the Borivali Police. The case is currently under investigation, with the authorities urging the public to exercise caution when interacting with online job offers. This particular case is part of a growing trend of social media scams that prey on individuals’ desire to earn easy money through online tasks.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online scams and highlights the importance of being cautious when engaging with offers that seem too good to be true. As scammers continue to exploit individuals through social media platforms, it is essential to verify the legitimacy of any job or financial opportunity before sharing personal information or making any monetary transactions. Many of these scams involve promises of high returns for little effort, which is a red flag for fraud. In this case, the woman’s willingness to invest more money in pursuit of the promised returns ultimately led to her financial loss.
While the case is under investigation, the police have also emphasized the growing need for public awareness. As more people turn to social media platforms in search of work or extra income, scammers are increasingly using these platforms to lure victims into their traps. The authorities continue to advise caution, urging people to avoid clicking on suspicious links and to refrain from sharing sensitive information over untrusted platforms.
