Pune Software Engineer Loses Rs 3.5 Lakh in Elaborate Online Job Scam
A young software engineer in Pune fell victim to a sophisticated online fraud scheme last year. The 26-year-old woman lost a substantial amount of money in what police describe as a carefully orchestrated task-based scam.
How the Scam Unfolded
The incident began in August last year when the engineer received an unsolicited message on her mobile phone. The message offered her a lucrative part-time job opportunity that she could complete online. Intrigued by the prospect of easy earnings, she decided to accept the offer.
After she expressed interest, the fraudsters obtained her banking details under the guise of setting up payment systems. They then added her to a private group on a popular mobile messaging application where they would communicate further instructions.
The Task Completion Trap
The initial tasks seemed legitimate and harmless. The woman received assignments to rate restaurants on various internet platforms. After completing these simple tasks, she received Rs 150 transferred directly to her bank account. This small payment served to build her trust in the operation.
Encouraged by this initial success, the scammers then presented her with what they called "prepaid tasks." They promised significantly higher earnings if she would invest money upfront. Between August 1 and August 4 last year, the woman transferred a total of Rs 3.50 lakh to multiple bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
The Realization and Police Action
When the engineer attempted to withdraw her accumulated earnings, the scammers informed her that her money had become "blocked" in a trading application. They demanded additional payments to release the funds, claiming this was necessary to complete the transaction process.
At this point, the woman recognized she was being systematically deceived. She immediately stopped all communication with the fraudsters and approached the authorities for help. After filing an online complaint and conducting preliminary investigations, the Hinjewadi police formally registered a case on Saturday.
A police officer involved in the investigation explained the modus operandi. "The scammers used small initial payments to establish credibility," he said. "Once they gained the victim's trust, they convinced her to transfer larger amounts with promises of greater returns."
The case serves as a stark reminder about the dangers of online job offers that require upfront payments. Police advise citizens to verify the legitimacy of any online earning opportunities before sharing personal or financial information.
