A 37-year-old man from Ghaziabad has fallen prey to an online scam that promised quick profits through simple tasks on Telegram. Within just five days, between August 13 and August 18, he lost a staggering Rs 8.5 lakh. The case highlights the growing menace of cyber fraud in India, where unsuspecting individuals are increasingly targeted with the lure of easy money.
So, the victim, Saurabh Singh, a resident of Balram Nagar in Loni, lodged a police complaint after being cheated by fraudsters. His ordeal began on August 13 when he received a WhatsApp message from a woman identifying herself as Rani from Mumbai. She claimed to represent a company named Journeys Travels and persuaded him to join a Telegram group. There, he was offered small online tasks, such as rating restaurants and hotels. And with the promise of earning Rs 800 to Rs 2,500 per day.
Believing the offer to be genuine, Singh made an initial payment of Rs 10,100 from his Kotak Mahindra Bank account. In return, he received just Rs 855. Despite this, he was encouraged to invest further with the promise of bigger rewards. Over the next few days, Singh transferred a total of Rs 8,47,222 to various accounts while completing assigned tasks. The scheme appeared convincing, giving him the impression that profits were on the way. But when he attempted to withdraw his earnings, the fraudsters created obstacles and demanded more payments. Realizing he had been duped, Singh turned to the authorities for help.
Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime), Piyush Kumar Singh, confirmed that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against unidentified persons under Section 318 (4) for cheating, along with relevant provisions of the IT Act concerning online fraud. Investigations are currently underway.
The case reflects a larger issue: cybercrime is steadily rising in India. Punjab, for example, reported a 47% surge in such cases between 2021 and 2022. Experts say that fraudsters are increasingly misusing platforms like Telegram. Many people overlook safety measures in their pursuit of quick financial gains.
Authorities in Chandigarh, near Mohali, have been working to counter this trend by conducting awareness programs and campaigns. These efforts aim to educate citizens about the risks of digital fraud and the importance of safe online practices.
Cybersecurity experts advise people never to share personal information with strangers, remain skeptical of offers promising quick money, verify companies before making payments, use secure payment methods, and report suspicious activity without delay.
However, Saurabh Singh’s experience serves as a strong cautionary tale. It shows how anyone—regardless of age or background—can fall victim to such scams. Staying alert, informed, and cautious remains the most effective defense against the rising tide of online fraud.
