Beware of Instagram Ads: Potential Scam Warning
Instagram is a highly captivating social media platform that attracts users from all corners of the globe. Nevertheless, it also poses a significant risk, as a single click can result in substantial financial and data loss for individuals. To safeguard yourself and your loved ones, it is crucial to learn how to protect against such threats. Additionally, it is advisable to read about the unfortunate experience of a woman who suffered significant losses as a cautionary tale.
Scammers have especially benefited from people’s desire to earn extra income through part-time work. Taking advantage of this trend, they lure victims with promises of easy money. They often deposit small amounts into victims’ accounts to gain trust, but then defraud them of large sums of money. One such victim, a software professional from Manguluru, fell victim to this scheme after clicking on an Instagram ad. Here’s his story and how to protect yourself from similar scams.
Instagram advertising leads to losing money
A software professional from Manguluru found himself in a nightmare scenario after responding to an enticing Instagram ad that promised easy income. The ad simply stated, “You can earn,” prompting her to express her interest by sending a message to the given WhatsApp number: 9899183689. She was then directed to contact @khannika9912 on Telegram.
After downloading the app, he contacted @khannika9912 who promised him a 30% return on his investment. To prove authenticity, the victim initially sent ₹7,000 to the UPI ID provided through Google Pay. As promised, he received ₹9,100 in his account, which confirmed his trust in the scammer. As a result, he was convinced to invest a larger amount.
The woman trusted the scammer and transferred ₹20,000 to the same UPI ID. However, he was informed that the account was blocked, which is why the funds were not reported. For some reason, he transferred another ₹10,50,525 only to find that he had fallen victim to a scam. He immediately reported the incident to the police. Why did he transfer this huge amount after his initial Rs. 20,000 transfer was cancelled, not clear yet.
However, the lesson here is that it should not happen to anyone and for that it is necessary to know what to do and what not to do.
Protect yourself from such scams
It is very important to protect yourself from such scams. Here are five simple steps:
1. Be careful: If you receive any unsolicited emails or texts that seem strange, be careful. Be skeptical of them. Try not to react to them in any way
2. Avoid clicking on links: Do not click on links from unknown sources. They may redirect you to dangerous websites or downloads.
3. Security Guard Personal Information: Never give out important information to unknown callers, especially if they are looking for it by phone or text.
4. Verify requests: Always verify requests, especially those that contain sensitive actions or information. If in doubt, contact the organization or individual directly through trusted channels to confirm the legitimacy of the request.
5. Act fast: If you suspect a scam or phishing attempt, act fast. Delete the message or end the call without notice and report it to the authorities.
Staying safe from such scams requires vigilance and caution when it comes to unsolicited offers. By following these guidelines, you can reduce the risk of becoming a victim of online fraud.
