In another case of online scam, a 25-year-old woman from Udupi, Karnataka lost Rs 1.94 lakh after clicking on a suspicious link. The woman was scrolling through social media when she came across an advertisement for a high-paying job. However, this link led him into a web of deception. Initially, he was added to a group where individuals convinced him to invest money, but in the end it turned out to be a scam.

The victim, identified as Archana, was looking for part-time employment opportunities when she came across an Instagram post promoting “Amazon Freshers Jobs in India”, The Times of India reported. Excited by the offer, he clicked on the link. After some time she received messages from unknown persons on WhatsApp, claiming to offer lucrative returns for simple online tasks.

After completing the initial tasks and receiving some returns, the unknown person – a scammer in disguise – presented another opportunity, promising even more earnings. The scammers assured the victim that by investing in tasks related to the advertised Amazon job, she could make significant profits.

Convinced by the offer, the victim saw it as an opportunity to make easy money. He diligently followed their instructions and started transferring funds to various UPI IDs provided by the scammers. Between October 18 and October 24, he transferred a total of Rs 1.94 lakh.

However, when he tried to withdraw the profits, he realized that he had been cheated. Her attempts to withdraw the money failed, and her calls and messages to the alleged recruiters remained unanswered. After not getting any returns or reimbursement on his investment, he lodged a complaint with the cyber crime police station.

Although this case is unfortunate, it is not unique. In recent months, many individuals have fallen for such “good” opportunities in the hopes of making easy money. Scammers prey on people’s vulnerabilities by preying on their desire to earn extra income. Once victims follow the instructions, scammers can easily drain their accounts.

Although authorities regularly warn people to be vigilant, many people still ignore red flags. Awareness is important to prevent such scams. Here are some important reminders to stay safe:

– Always check the authenticity of a job offer, especially one shared on social media or messaging apps. Real companies usually use official websites like LinkedIn or their own websites and email communications for recruitment.

– Never click on links from unverified sources, especially those that promise high earnings with minimal effort.

– Do your research before accepting an offer. Look at the company offering the job, check reviews, official websites and contact details to ensure legitimacy.