In a distressing incident, a 42-year-old man named Surjeet Singh from Mohammadpur fell victim to a massive scam, losing a staggering amount of Rs 1.6 crore. The incident unfolded when Singh received a message on WhatsApp, offering him a lucrative part-time job opportunity with an e-commerce site based in Gurgaon. Little did he know that this seemingly promising offer would turn out to be a fraudulent scheme.
According to the victim’s account, on June 25, he received a call from an unknown number on WhatsApp, claiming to be from the e-commerce site. The caller stated that they obtained his number through one of his friends. Intrigued by the offer, Singh was directed to click on a link that opened the e-commerce platform. He was then instructed to make purchases of certain articles mentioned on the platform by clicking the link and sending a screenshot of the transaction on WhatsApp. In return, he was promised a commission.
Initially, Singh sent Rs 5,000 as instructed, and true to their word, he received Rs 6,110 in return. This gave him a false sense of trust, leading him to continue clicking on the provided link. The scammers continued to send him money, totaling Rs 26,000. However, the situation took a dark turn when the accused informed Singh that they had mistakenly withdrawn the payment and he would need to perform additional tasks as a penalty.
The victim was assured that he would eventually have an opportunity to withdraw the accumulated funds. However, he was informed that his store account had been frozen and he needed to deposit more money as security to resolve the issue. Falling deeper into the trap, Singh sent money through various transactions, resulting in a colossal loss of approximately Rs 1.6 crore.
Fortunately, the police have taken up the case and are actively investigating the matter. They possess crucial information regarding the transactions and bank accounts involved in the scam. With these details at hand, they hope to track down the culprits and bring them to justice.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the prevalence of online fraud and the importance of being cautious while engaging in online activities. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their techniques, preying on unsuspecting individuals through various platforms, including popular messaging apps like WhatsApp. It is essential for users to exercise vigilance and take preventive measures to safeguard themselves from falling victim to such scams.
Authorities advise the public to refrain from sharing personal information or financial details with unknown individuals or organizations online. It is crucial to verify the authenticity of any job offers or investment opportunities before proceeding further. Additionally, individuals should remain skeptical of promises that appear too good to be true and report any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities promptly.
As technology continues to advance, so does the risk of cybercrime. It is our collective responsibility to stay informed, exercise caution, and spread awareness to protect ourselves and our communities from falling victim to online scams.