Techie loses Rs 42 lakh after liking YouTube videos, here is what happened

By Divya BhatiOnline scams are rising and no one is immune to them. In a recent case, a tech-savvy IT professional fell into the traps of cyber fraudsters and ended up losing Rs 42 lakh. The victim was lured with the promise of easy money when he received a message on WhatsApp offering him a part-time job. The message stated that he could earn additional income by simply liking YouTube videos.

According to a report by PTI, The victim who works as a software engineer in an IT company in Gurugram Sector 102 received a message on WhatsApp on March 24 offering him a part-time job. He was told that he could earn extra income by liking videos on YouTube. Later he was added to a group on Telegram which was allegedly named by a woman named Divya. Soon after joining the group, the group members, who went by the names Kamal, Ankit, Bhoomi, and Harsh, persuaded the victim to invest his money by promising guaranteed returns.

Falling for their lucrative promise, the victim transferred a sum of Rs 42,31,600 from his and his wife’s bank accounts. “When I agreed to work with them, a woman named Divya added me to a group on Telegram app. She asked me to invest money with the claim of assured better returns. On the pretext of a task, they had asked me to invest and I transferred a total of ? 42,31,600 from mine and my wife’s bank accounts,” reads the victim’s complaint as mentioned in the report.

The victim was initially assured that he had earned Rs 69 lakh in profit. However, when he tried to withdraw the money, the fraudsters demanded an additional Rs 11,000. Realising that he had been conned, the victim approached the police and filed a complaint against the fraudsters in the Telegram group.

The police have registered an FIR against the unknown fraudsters under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Information Technology (IT) Act. They are currently investigating the matter and trying to trace the scammers.

Avoid falling for such scams

While the cases of such scams are not new, this incident is another alert for people to be wary of online transactions and scams. Fraudsters are contacting people on WhatsApp and Telegram with offers that are too good to be true. They use various tactics to win the trust of the victims, such as pretending to be legitimate companies or individuals and promising high returns on investments. It is essential to check the validity of any offers before giving personal information or money.

To avoid falling prey to online scams, it is important to be cautious of lucrative offers that promise exceptional returns for minimal effort. It is always wise to conduct thorough research before investing your hard-earned money. Look for reviews, verify the legitimacy of the individuals, companies, or platforms involved, and seek recommendations from trusted sources.

It is also important to be wary of unsolicited messages, particularly those that make enticing offers. Scammers often use social media platforms, messaging apps, and emails to target potential victims. Guard your personal and financial information and avoid sharing sensitive details like bank account details, passwords, or PINs with unknown individuals or organisations. Legitimate entities will never ask for such information through unsolicited messages or calls.

If you suspect any fraudulent activity or believe you have fallen victim to a scam, report it to the appropriate authorities immediately. Prompt reporting can help in tracking down the culprits and preventing further harm to others. Remember, staying vigilant and cautious is key to avoiding online scams and ensuring a safe and secure online experience.