Hyderabad: Student loses Rs 2 lakhs in WhatsApp review rating fraud

Hyderabad: A 21-year-old female student from Hyderabad lost more than Rs 2 lakhs by getting lured into fraudulent schemes through WhatsApp.

The scam began with a WhatsApp message offering an opportunity to earn money through a Google review rating task, which later led to a series of monetary losses.

Case details

As per police records, the victim received a WhatsApp message inviting her to participate in a Google review rating task.

Soon after, she was asked to join a Telegram group where the scammers continued to lure her with daily tasks and promises of high returns. Initially, they requested a small investment, which the student agreed to, and in return, she received a sum of money, gaining her trust.

The scammers then convinced her to create a Bitcoin (BTC) account, promising even greater profits. They demanded a payment of Rs 1,90,000 for this step, which the victim complied with.

However, after making the payment, the scammers insisted on further transactions before she could receive her refund. Despite refusing to pay again, the victim was still being contacted by the fraudsters, who continued to demand more money, stating that the refund would only be processed after an additional payment.

After coming to the realisation that she has been duped, the victim has filed a complaint, seeking recovery of her money. Her investment is currently displayed on a fraudulent website, exchangegx66.com.

Public advisory

In light of the incident, the Cyber Crime Police have issued a public advisory warning citizens to be cautious of fraudulent investment schemes being advertised on social media platforms like Telegram, WhatsApp, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and Facebook.

“Fraudsters are luring victims with promises of high returns through fake investment apps and websites. They often credit a small amount to gain the victim’s trust before asking for larger investments,” the advisory stated.

Fraudsters often use fake screenshots of profits and small payouts to gain victims’ confidence. The advisory emphasised the importance of scepticism and vigilance to avoid falling victim to these scams.

The police also emphasised that such schemes are fraudulent and do not have any endorsement from the SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India). Citizens are urged to consult SEBI-registered financial advisors before making any investments.

Immediate action helps solve cybercrimes

The Cyber Crime Police have provided the following steps for immediate action in case of cyber fraud:

- Dial 1930 or visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal to report cyber fraud.

- In case of emergencies, victims can also contact or WhatsApp 8712665171 for assistance.

Citizens are encouraged to stay vigilant and follow the Cyber Crime Police’s social media pages such as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter (now X) and also send mail to cybercrimesphyd@gmail.com for regular updates on cybercrime awareness.

• Facebook: cybercrimepolice.gov.in

• Instagram: @cybercrimepshyd

• X: @CyberCrimeshyd

• Email: cybercrimesphyd@gmail.com

Stay Alert Against Online Scams

The Cyber Crime Police have advised the public to be cautious when approached with investment offers, especially those promising unusually high returns. Fraudsters often use fake screenshots of profits and small payouts to gain victims’ confidence. The advisory emphasized the importance of skepticism and vigilance to avoid falling victim to these scams.