Thane Resident Defrauded of Rs 1.17 Crore in Elaborate Task-Based Cyber Scam
A 39-year-old man from Thane has become the victim of one of the most sophisticated and elaborate task-based cyber scams reported this year, losing a staggering Rs 1.17 crore to an international syndicate. The fraud, which unfolded over several weeks, involved a meticulously crafted fake investment scheme that utilized encrypted messaging applications and cryptocurrency networks to siphon funds.
How the Scam Began: Innocuous Messages and Small Payouts
According to the detailed police complaint, the entire ordeal began when the victim received an unsolicited message on a popular messaging platform. The message offered a lucrative part-time job opportunity that involved completing simple online tasks. The scammers promised attractive commissions for activities such as liking products or placing dummy orders on websites that closely mimicked legitimate e-commerce giants.
The fraudsters initially paid out small commissions to build trust, creating a false sense of security for the victim. He was granted access to a professional-looking dashboard on a fake domain, complete with balance sheets and task assignments that appeared entirely legitimate. This dashboard was designed to simulate a real business operation, making the scam more convincing.
Escalation to Cryptocurrency and VIP Store Lures
Investigating officials noted that once trust was firmly established, the scammers escalated their demands significantly. The victim was informed that investing larger amounts would unlock a special VIP Store status, which promised substantially higher returns on his investments. As the promised earnings grew more enticing, the fraudsters strategically shifted the entire operation to cryptocurrency transactions.
The investigation has revealed that the victim was coerced into purchasing USDT (Tether) through various digital exchanges. He was then instructed to transfer these cryptocurrency tokens to anonymous wallets that were controlled by the attackers. Transaction records examined by authorities show multiple transfers, including a single instalment of approximately Rs 45 lakh, which was purportedly required for stock replenishment in a virtual storefront.
The Final Blow: Blocked Access and Additional Demands
The scam reached its climax when the victim's dashboard displayed a balance exceeding Rs 1.17 crore. Upon attempting to withdraw these funds, he found his access completely blocked by the scammers. They claimed that tax clearances and security verifications were necessary before any release of funds could occur, demanding additional payments to process these requirements.
This tactic effectively siphoned the remaining money, leaving the victim with no recourse as the anonymous cryptocurrency wallets made tracing the funds extremely difficult for law enforcement. The Thane police are now investigating the case as a major cyber fraud operation, highlighting the increasing sophistication of such task-based scams that prey on individuals seeking easy online income.
