In a disturbing case of digital deception, a 21-year-old commerce student from Ahmedabad fell victim to an elaborate online hotel review scam, losing a staggering ₹7.08 lakh to cyber criminals operating through popular messaging platforms.
The Beginning of the Deception
The unfortunate incident began on June 7 when the victim, a BCom student residing in Nana Chiloda, received an unsolicited WhatsApp message from an unknown number. The sender, who identified herself as "HR Asha," offered him part-time work involving online hotel reviews through a provided link.
Initially, the scheme appeared legitimate when the student completed three review tasks and received ₹150 credited directly to his bank account. This small but immediate payment served as the perfect bait to convince him of the job's authenticity.
Escalation Through Telegram
After establishing trust through the initial payment, the scammers directed the young man to a Telegram group where the fraud escalated significantly. Here, another handler contacted him, and a profile named "Manish Kumar" began assigning paid tasks with increasing financial demands.
The student was instructed to deposit ₹1,000 as part of what the scammers called a "prepaid task system." Following this payment, he received ₹1,420 in his account, further reinforcing his belief in the scheme's legitimacy.
The Financial Trap Closes
Convinced he had found a genuine income opportunity, the student began transferring increasingly large sums of money—drawing not only from his own accounts but also from his parents' bank accounts. Between June 7 and June 10, he transferred money to multiple bank accounts shared with him through Telegram, with the total amount exceeding ₹7 lakh.
Despite these substantial transfers, the scammers allowed him to withdraw only ₹1,570, consistently demanding additional payments under various pretexts including service charges and processing fees. When his repeated attempts to access his funds failed completely, the young man realized he had been systematically defrauded.
The Ahmedabad cybercrime police have registered a formal case of cheating and criminal conspiracy against unidentified individuals operating under the names "HR Asha," "Sharon," and "Manish Kumar", along with others involved in operating fake websites and Telegram groups designed specifically for this fraudulent scheme.
Lessons in Digital Vigilance
This case highlights the sophisticated methods employed by cyber criminals who use legitimate-looking job offers to exploit young people seeking part-time work opportunities. The initial small payments create false confidence, while the transition to encrypted platforms like Telegram makes tracking more difficult for authorities.
Cybercrime experts recommend extreme caution when approached with unsolicited job offers through messaging platforms, particularly those requiring upfront payments or personal financial information. The Ahmedabad cybercrime unit continues its investigation into what appears to be an organized network targeting multiple victims across the region.
