₹200 Task Scam Costs Man Lakhs in Fraud Case
A Sophisticated Cyber Scam: Indian Man Loses ₹11.31 Lakh in YouTube Task Fraud
A private company employee from Etmaduddaula, Shailendra Kumar Yadav, was duped out of ₹11.31 lakh by a group of cyber fraudsters who promised him part-time online income through YouTube task completion.
How the Scam Unfolded
Yadav’s ordeal began on January 4, when he was added to a group on an unknown number, offering work-from-home opportunities. He was later shifted to a Telegram group, where he was asked to share YouTube channel links for a payment of ₹200 per task.
The scammers’ strategy was to build trust through small returns, which reinforced Yadav’s confidence in the scheme. He was encouraged to take up higher-value tasks, promising larger returns, and eventually transferred a total of ₹11,31,400 to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
Investigation and Warning
The investigation suggests an organized cyber fraud module operating through Telegram, using multiple bank accounts and money-mule networks to route and withdraw funds.
Experts say that fraudsters use a “reward loop” strategy to manipulate victims, offering early gains to create a sense of success, followed by time-bound “VIP tasks” that pressure victims into quick decisions.
Precautions and Next Steps
The cyber police have urged citizens not to trust part-time earning offers from unknown or Telegram groups, and to be cautious of tasks that require upfront payment.
- Only verified platforms and official websites should be used for online work opportunities.
- Victims of suspicious transactions are advised to immediately call the cyber helpline 1930 or file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Portal, as funds can sometimes be frozen if reported promptly.
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