Inside Bengaluru’s Shocking ₹17 Lakh Work-from-Home Scam

A cautionary tale emerges from Bengaluru, where a tech professional fell victim to a cunning plot that unfurled over a single day, leading to the loss of ₹17 lakh. The scam involved a seemingly simple work-from-home job offer leveraging Telegram’s network, preying on a young techie who was unfortunately swindled by perpetrators posing as trusted mentors.

Lured by the Promise of Easy Money

The ordeal began seamlessly for the unsuspecting victim with a casual message from an unknown number, carrying the guise of a part-time job offer with attractive earnings. It was delivered with precision, weaving the illusion of a legitimate opportunity through the infamous platform, Telegram. Hindustan Times.

A Trap That Led to Confidence

In response, the victim, enticed by the promise of easy money for simple tasks like liking content and writing reviews, found himself enmeshed deeper into the web of deceit. As ludicrous as it sounds, initial tasks paid enough to foster trust and build a façade of credibility. This cunningly laid groundwork set the stage for subsequent financial devastation.

The Promise of Profit that Turned into a Nightmare

Progressively, the tasks morphed into activities requiring deposits, masquerading as “welfare tasks.” This was presented with a promise of high returns, a fraudulent, convincing display designed to entrap the unsuspected victim. His experiences included bogus mentors like Sanya Mehta and Aacharya, feeding him fabricated successes that appeared persuasive on surface.

The Unraveling Illusion and Deceptive Pressure Tactics

Pressure mounted through incessant demands for more money under various pretexts. These requests were reinforced via crafted Telegram group interactions, flaunting false testimonials and fabricated profit scenarios. In this theater of deception, psychological manipulation played a key role as the victim continually complied, driven by a mix of fear and ambition to recoup and gain.

The Bitter End and Moving Forward

The victim, eventually awakened to the reality of the ruse only after the pungent loss of ₹17 lakh, sought help from the authorities. Bengaluru police are currently working on this case, signaling a warning for the wider public to exercise caution with unsolicited job offers and upfront financial commitments on digital platforms.

With this prevailing reminder, it’s important to remain vigilant. Activities requiring upfront payments while promising exaggerated returns should be approached with heightened scrutiny—a lesson etched sharply into Bengaluru’s digital landscape in this heart-wrenching and eye-opening tale.