A Deceptive Ad Turns Costly
What began as a casual scroll through Instagram reels turned into a costly mistake for a woman in Gorai, Mumbai. A seemingly legitimate job ad promoting effortless earnings led her to lose Rs 6.37 lacs to online scammers.

The Setup
The incident occurred on November 30 when the woman came across an Instagram ad claiming users could earn money simply by liking videos. The ad directed her to a Telegram group where scammers explained the process in detail, portraying it as credible.

Winning Trust, Stealing Big
To gain her trust, the fraudsters initially sent small payments to her account for completing tasks. Encouraged by this, she invested larger amounts over three transactions, expecting lucrative returns. Unfortunately, the promised earnings never came.

The Scam Unveiled
When the woman contacted the scammers about her missing funds, they requested additional payments under the pretense of a “tax” required to release her money. Realizing she had been duped, she filed a complaint with the Borivali Police.

Protecting Yourself Online

• Check the Source: Always research and verify the authenticity of job offers found online.
• Be Skeptical of Easy Money: Offers promising high returns for minimal effort are often scams.
• Guard Your Information: Avoid sharing personal data or transferring funds to unknown individuals.
• Report Fraud: Notify platforms and authorities about suspicious activities.
• Stay Informed: Keep up to date on the latest scam tactics to avoid falling victim.