Mumbai: A 20-year-old engineering student from Jammu and Kashmir fell victim to a cyber fraud and lost Rs 4.30 lakh in a "task fraud" scam, according to officials from the Matunga police station on Wednesday.
The student, currently residing in a college hostel in Mumbai’s Matunga area, was approached via WhatsApp by a woman identifying herself as "Pallavi Jha". She offered him a part-time opportunity to earn between Rs 2,000 and Rs 8,000 daily by posting online reviews.
Initially enticed by the quick earnings, the student agreed to participate. He was then added to a Telegram channel where he was assigned small tasks and even received some initial payments, which encouraged him to continue, according to PTI report.
As the tasks progressed, he was asked to deposit money as a “security measure” for larger assignments. Over time, the victim deposited a total of Rs 4.30 lakh in multiple transactions. When demands for more money persisted without further payment or a clear explanation, the student grew suspicious and realised he had been defrauded.
He subsequently filed a complaint with the Matunga Police. An investigation into the scam and the perpetrators is currently underway, as per report.
The case adds to the growing number of cyber fraud incidents in India, with scammers increasingly using social media and messaging apps to target unsuspecting individuals, particularly students and job seekers. Authorities have advised the public to be cautious and verify any online job offers or financial schemes before participating.
