Online work or work from home jobs are currently becoming a menace in the online world. In the last few months, many people across the country have reported that they have been duped online by strangers on the pretext of working from home or doing online tasks for which they get good money. In a recent case of ‘online work’ scam, a doctor associated with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation was duped of Rs 17 lakh by fraudsters posing as representatives of Airbnb.

The 40-year-old doctor’s ordeal from Navi Mumbai began when she received a message via the Telegram app from a woman named Sahara Kalyani in May, reports The Indian Express. In the message, the scammers offered a lucrative opportunity: earn extra income by spending a few hours every day reviewing properties listed on Airbnb. Excited by the prospect of boosting her income, the doctor decided to give it a try.

Initially, the process seemed legitimate. After completing his first review, he received a payment of Rs 11,000, followed by a commission of Rs 983 for his efforts. Encouraged by the prompt payout, he continued participating in the tasks. However, the fraudsters then requested him to pay another Rs 11,000 to continue accessing the platform and complete more reviews.

To further strengthen the trust, the scammer added the doctor to a Telegram group comprising other alleged participants, mainly women, who shared their success stories and earnings, thereby motivating the doctor to stay. These manipulative tactics gradually led the doctor to make multiple payments, which eventually totalled Rs 17.27 lakh.

As the amount shown in his account increased to Rs 37.48 lakh, the doctor attempted to withdraw his earnings. At this point, he was told that he would have to pay a 30 per cent commission on the total amount to complete the withdrawal. Realising the absurdity of the demand and sensing something was fishy, ​​he attempted to withdraw his money without success.

However, he was denied the transaction and later the doctor approached the local Kharghar police station. An FIR was immediately registered against the unknown fraudsters.

How to Stay Safe from Online Task Scams

This is not the first case where people have been duped by such scams. There have been many cases where fraudsters use similar tricks to lure victims. Here are some important tips that will help you stay alert and stay safe from such scams:

• Always verify the legitimacy of the online job posting platform or person. Research the company and read reviews from multiple sources.
• Be wary of unsolicited messages promising easy money. Legitimate companies rarely make such offers through unofficial channels like messaging apps.
• Always remember that legitimate companies do not require upfront payment to access job platforms or tasks. Be wary of any requests for money to continue working or access your earnings.
• Always communicate through official channels and avoid using personal messaging apps for business transactions.
• If you come across any suspicious job offers or scams, report it to local authorities and cyber crime cells.