In a concerning trend, two Pune residents have fallen victim to cybercriminals, losing a total of Rs 120 lakhs in scams involving YouTube subscriptions and deceptive ‘task job’ offers communicated through platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and email.
Shubh Nangar, a 34-year-old resident of Dhanori, was lured by cybercriminals posing as YouTube representatives. Promising lucrative commissions for subscribing to and liking YouTube content, the perpetrators managed to swindle Nangar out of a significant sum—Rs 49.68 lakhs. Initially, Nangar paid a small amount of Rs 1,350, but he later fell victim to coercion and transferred an additional Rs 49,68,000 under the false pretext of an investment for commissions. With no returns in sight, Nangar promptly filed a complaint with the cyber police. Authorities have registered a case against individuals associated with the Telegram app, suspected of orchestrating this elaborate scheme.
In a similar incident, Muffdal Mohammad, a 48-year-old resident of Kondhwa, also became a victim of a cyber scam, resulting in a loss of Rs 70.32 lakhs. This scam involved deceptive ‘task job’ offers communicated through Telegram, WhatsApp, and email. The unidentified scammers gained Mohammad’s trust by assigning various tasks that required substantial financial transfers—Rs 70,32,000—to different bank accounts under the guise of charges. Unfortunately, these transactions yielded no returns, leading to Mohammad’s substantial financial loss. An official case has been registered at the cyber police station, and investigations are currently underway.
The cyber police have issued a crucial appeal to the public as scams involving YouTube subscriptions, likes, and fraudulent ‘task job’ offerings through platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, and email continue to rise. These scams pose a significant risk of financial loss to unsuspecting individuals. The public is strongly advised to exercise caution and skepticism, resisting enticing offers and inducements. Vigilance remains paramount in safeguarding against cybercriminals who exploit unsuspecting victims.
