Telegram Work-From-Home Scam Targets Ahmedabad Designer

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An Ahmedabad graphic designer was defrauded of ₹5.75 lakh after engaging with a Telegram-based scheme that transitioned from hotel review tasks to a fake trading platform.

The Scam Unfolds

The victim, Jignesh Rajnikant Makwana, a 42-year-old graphic designer employed at Swaminarayan Temple Aksharpeeth in Shahibaug, reported the incident after transferring ₹6.01 lakh to multiple accounts following instructions from fraudulent actors. The scheme reportedly unfolded between September 3 and 7.

Initial Offer and Trust Building

The initial phase of the scam involved a Telegram message from an account using the name “Vidya Verma,” which offered daily earnings of ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 through remote hotel review work. Jignesh completed small tasks, receiving payments of ₹120 to ₹700, which the perpetrators used to build credibility.

Transition to Fake Trading Platform

After gaining trust, he was directed to a Telegram group titled “Google Coin Map Income 220 Group,” where he encountered a user identified as “Shasha.” This individual provided a link to an application called “Oasis,” instructing him to create an account. Subsequent interactions with other Telegram accounts—named Sanjay Verma, Kamal Mishra, Dinesh Sharma, and Ajay Srivastava—led Jignesh and his wife, Mita Makwana, to transfer funds into the platform.

The app displayed a virtual profit of ₹3.50 lakh, reinforcing the illusion of legitimate returns. When Jignesh attempted to withdraw the funds, the fraudsters claimed his account was frozen due to an incomplete task, demanding further deposits to resolve the issue.

Investigation and Aftermath

The victims ceased additional transfers after recognizing the escalating demands and reported the incident to the cybercrime helpline 1930. A formal complaint was filed with the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Police, initiating an investigation into the Telegram accounts, the Oasis app, associated bank accounts, and mobile numbers linked to the scheme.

Authorities are analyzing the transaction trail to determine the flow of the ₹6.01 lakh transferred by the couple. The case aligns with a broader pattern of online fraud where perpetrators use low-risk tasks to establish trust before introducing high-stakes investment scams. Victims often face coercive tactics, including false claims of account freezes, tax requirements, or penalty fees, to extract further funds.

Conclusion

The investigation continues to identify the individuals behind the fraudulent operations and assess whether similar methods have been used to target other victims.