In another case of online scam, a woman from Mumbai’s Gorai area lost Rs 6.37 lakh after clicking on an Instagram Reel advertising a part-time job. The ad promised quick earnings for simple online tasks. However, as soon as she tried to act on the ad, she ended up losing money to the scammers. This incident is one of several cases of part-time job scams in which fraudsters deceive individuals by exploiting their desire to make quick money through simple tasks like liking videos or giving reviews.

This particular incident allegedly began around 11 a.m. on Nov. 30, when the victim came across an Instagram Reel promoting a seemingly innocuous part-time job, the Free Press Journal reports. The ad claimed that users could earn money by simply liking online videos. Intrigued, the victim clicked on the link provided, which redirected them to a Telegram group.

Once the victim joined the group, the scammers, posing as work coordinators, explained the process to them. Initially, the victim was asked to perform simple tasks, such as liking videos, for which they received small but immediate payments. Victims fell for the payment lure words, started following the tasks, and even got paid upon completion.

Later, encouraged by these upfront payments, the scammers urged the victim to invest money in higher-paying tasks, promising large returns. Convinced by the first successes and the assurances of the fraudsters, the woman transferred Rs 6.37 lakh in three transactions.

The situation changed when the promised benefits did not materialize. Instead, the fraudsters demanded additional money as a “tax” to unlock his winnings. Realizing that she had been scammed, the woman sought help and reported the incident to the Borivali police.

The matter would be investigated. Authorities advise individuals to exercise caution, although such online scams are common. Police are urging people to check the authenticity of online job offers and avoid clicking on suspicious links. These scams are increasing, targeting individuals on social media platforms with the promise of easy money.

Here are some online security tips to follow to protect yourself from such scam traps:

– If you see a job posting, always confirm the legitimacy of job postings or advertisements, especially those found on social media. Research the company or platform thoroughly before committing.

– Always avoid clicking on links shared via social media or messaging apps without verifying their authenticity.

– As seen in many cases, scammers often lure their victims by promising high returns for minimal effort. If a deal seems too good to be true, it probably is.

– Do not share sensitive details, such as bank accounts or UPI credentials, on insecure platforms.