What began as a side hustle ended in a massive cyber fraud for a 30-year-old Chembur resident, who was duped of Rs 7.8 lakh by conmen running a fake ‘Google task’ job racket. This edit space has often warned about how cybercriminals shift the contours of their scams, trying to cash in on current events and use a pattern of escalation. The escalation means the targets are first given easy or small tasks. They are told to click links. Sometimes, they are instructed to fill in details in convenient forms provided on a website. It all begins as smooth and easy, barely taking a few minutes.
In this case, the victim, an employee of a private credit company, received a WhatsApp message on September 7 from an unknown number offering restaurant review assignments for Rs 40 per review. He then shared a Telegram link for further communication. After joining a Telegram group named “Google Mission India 190”, here one must also note the impressive-sounding name, the victim was asked to post reviews and share screenshots as proof. It all seems too easy, quick, painless and paying. Initially, the victim receives payments of Rs 120 and Rs 200. Though small, these sums seem rewarding for such no-sweat tasks. This also convinces them that the job is genuine. Soon, like in this case, the fraudsters send “investment tasks”, asking targets to deposit more money for other tasks. The escalation has begun.
Here, the victim paid up substantial sums, but was told to release more money on some pretext or the other. It is then that most people smell a rat, and when they start demanding their money back, the scamsters go incommunicado. Recognise the patterns and when the fraudsters begin preparing the net, casting their bait to reel you in. If you are aware, think, and question, scams will fail.