A 41-year-old employee of a private company in Pune was defrauded of Rs8 lakh in an online task scam between November and December last year. After a preliminary investigation into an online complaint, the Pimpri police registered a formal case on Sunday.
How the Scam Unfolded
According to the police, the scammers initially contacted the victim via a social media platform, promising a steady monthly income through a work-from-home arrangement. The fraudsters assigned him the task of providing five-star ratings to various hotels on the internet. To gain his trust, they initially paid him small amounts for completing these tasks.
Once the victim was convinced of the scheme's legitimacy, the scammers persuaded him to opt for prepaid tasks, claiming these would unlock significantly higher earnings. Lured by the prospect of better returns, the complainant transferred a total of Rs8 lakh across several different bank accounts provided by the accused. However, once the money was sent, the suspects cut off communication.
Legal Action
The victim initially filed a complaint through the national cybercrime portal. After verifying the details, the Pimpri police have now booked unidentified suspects under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act. Further investigation is underway to trace the fraudulent bank accounts.
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