A 47-year-old woman residing in Wakad, Pune, was duped of Rs 24.28 lakh by cybercriminals in an online task fraud that occurred between October and November last year. The fraudsters lured her with the promise of earning good money by completing simple online tasks.
Complaint Filed with Wakad Police
The woman lodged a formal complaint with the Wakad police on Thursday, leading to the registration of a case. According to a police officer, the initial contact was made through a cellphone messaging app, where the fraudsters assured her of substantial earnings upon task completion.
How the Fraud Unfolded
To gain her trust, the cybercrooks initially transferred small amounts of money to her bank account. Once they had her confidence, they persuaded her to invest in prepaid tasks, claiming these would yield higher returns. Over the course of a month, the woman transferred a total of Rs 24.28 lakh to several bank accounts provided by the fraudsters.
When she did not receive any returns, she began to pursue the criminals. The fraudsters then demanded an additional Rs 23 lakh, which made her realize she had been deceived. She ceased all communication with them and filed an online complaint.
Police Investigation Underway
The Wakad police have initiated preliminary investigations and registered a case. An officer stated, Our investigations are ongoing, and we are working to track down the perpetrators. Authorities urge citizens to remain vigilant against such online task frauds and to report any suspicious activities immediately.
