Cyber Fraud in Pune: Youth Cheated of Rs 27.46 Lakh with Lure of Online Work

Wagholi, 2nd December 2024: A youth from Wagholi has fallen victim to an online work scam, losing a significant amount of Rs 27.46 lakh to cyber criminals promising lucrative returns for simple online tasks.

The complainant, a resident of Kesnand, lodged a complaint with the Wagholi Police Station after realizing he had been duped.

According to the police, the scam began on November 4 when the victim was contacted by the fraudsters via his mobile number. They promised him a chance to earn good money by working online from home, offering him initial online tasks. The victim completed the tasks and was given a refund, which gave him confidence in the scheme.

However, the fraudsters soon contacted him again, this time offering a chance to earn even more by investing money into the online tasks. Trusting their promises, the victim transferred Rs 27.46 lakh into the fraudsters’ bank account over several transactions. After making the payment, he did not receive the expected refund or any further communication from the scammers.

Upon attempting to contact the fraudsters, the victim discovered that their mobile number was switched off. Realizing he had been scammed, the youth immediately reported the incident to the police. A case has been filed against the scammers under the Information Technology Act. Senior Police Inspector Pandit Rejitwad is leading the investigation.

This incident is part of a growing trend of cyber frauds, where scammers use the lure of online work and easy money to trick victims. The police have urged the public to be cautious and avoid falling for such deceptive schemes. Authorities have also emphasized the importance of verifying any online offers or investment opportunities before making financial commitments.