A Bengaluru-based man recently lost 500,000 Indian rupees, or about $6,000, after falling prey to a work-from-home scam, MSN reports. Here’s how the con ensnared the man, 37, from Murugeshpalya.
- Initial small commitment: At first, the fake “employer” asked him to complete small tasks that included paying 150 rupees, allegedly to promote products being sold online; to build the victim’s trust, the employer in return made some small payments to the victim.
- Escalating Payments: Gradually, the tasks became more expensive. He was instructed to make payments through a digital payment app, including a payment of Rs 1,000, which he was later reimbursed for, making the scam appear legitimate.
- Cryptocurrency Pressure: The victim was added to a group focused on cryptocurrency investments. He was pressured into making large payments, including Rs 38,000 multiple times, under the threat of losing his previous investments.
- Continued Payments: After several more payments, his total investment reached $6,000. When he demanded a refund, he was told to pay even more money to retrieve his funds.
- Realization and Police Involvement: Eventually, the man grew suspicious and reported the incident to the authorities after the scammers demanded an additional Rs 1.9 lakh to release his funds.
How to Avoid Work From Home Scams
- Research the employer: Always verify the legitimacy of any work-from-home offer by researching the company or organization thoroughly.
- Don’t pay to work: Legitimate companies will not require you to pay upfront for work or tasks.
- Avoid unsolicited job offers: Be cautious of unsolicited job offers received through emails, calls, or messaging apps, especially if they involve payment.
- Be skeptical of offers that seem too generous: If a job promises high earnings with minimal work, it’s likely a scam.
- Report scams: If you encounter a suspicious job offer, report it to the authorities to help prevent others from falling victim.
Common Names for This Scam
This is commonly known as a “Work-from-Home Scam” or “Fake Job Scam,” where scammers exploit job seekers with the promise of remote work to defraud them of money.