5 Tips to Avoid Being Duped Out of Money in a Like-and-Share Scam: 2 Techie Victims Lost Rs. 34 Lakh

Two software engineers in Pune were recently targeted by cyber criminals in a worrying increase of like-and-share scams. The incidents occurred between August 23 and 30, causing financial distress and emotional turmoil for the two individuals from Hinjewadi.

According to the Times of India, cyber fraudsters lured their unsuspecting targets with promises of substantial earnings for simple online tasks such as hotel reviews and video likes. The lure of easy money proved too tempting for them to resist.

The engineers were forced to create accounts on the messaging app Telegram, which provided the scammers with direct communication. At first, things seemed legitimate, and criminals even paid small fees to build trust.

However, the situation took a dark turn when the scammers pressured engineers to invest more money in what they called “prepaid tasks”. They assured the engineers that they would not only recoup their initial investment, but also generate substantial profits.

Over time, engineers became more suspicious. They found they couldn’t withdraw their funds and the scammers kept demanding more money. That’s when they knew they were in for a scam.

When a female technician lost Rs. 16.5 lakh, her male counterpart lost Rs. 17.6 lakhs. Hinjewad law enforcement intervened and made a startling revelation: both engineers had fallen prey to the same scam group using the same tactics. To streamline the investigation, the cases were combined into one.

Determined to bring the culprits to justice, the police initiated measures to freeze the accounts to which the money had been transferred and to identify the account holders. Although it is possible that the criminals have already fled with the money.

Online scams like this are common, so people need to be alert and follow these precautions.

Tips to protect yourself from online scams:

1. Stay alert: Be cautious when you encounter unexpected emails or messages that seem suspicious. Be skeptical of them, even if they promise jobs or money for easy tasks. Check their identity as much as possible.

2. Avoid unknown links: Do not click on links from unknown sources as they may lead to dangerous websites or downloads.

3. Guard your personal information: Never disclose important information to unknown callers, especially when they ask for it through phone calls or text messages, especially in financial transactions.

4. Always check requests: Always check requests, especially those that contain sensitive actions or information. If in doubt, contact the organization or individual directly through established channels to confirm the authenticity of the request.

5. Act quickly: If you suspect a scam or phishing attempt, act quickly by deleting the message or hanging up without giving out personal information.

Protection against online fraud requires vigilance and a careful approach to unexpected offers. By following these guidelines, you can significantly reduce your vulnerability to online fraud.