Hyderabad techie duped of Rs 9 lakhs in part-time YouTube survey scam

Hyderabad: A private employee working in the city was cheated of Rs 9 lakhs after she was lured by a WhatsApp text from a stranger offering her gainful part-time employment.

Case details

According to police records, the 23-year-old seeking ways to earn extra cash interacted with a WhatsApp message she received recently about a part-time job involving YouTube.

She was asked to subscribe to a YouTube channel called @priyankatiwarivlogs and take screenshots of the same for payment. She was also asked to install Telegram and join a channel.

After she completed her tasks, she was asked to trade through a link called ‘digitvisionan.top’. She was asked to invest an initial amount to begin trading. She was told that the process was safe and she would be able to withdraw her amount any time she wanted. The amount she invested was also visible on the app.

After several deposits, the amount she invested in the app reached Rs 8,99,070. However, when she decided to withdraw her earnings, the button for the withdrawal option did not work. The scammers said that they would provide her with a withdrawal code but that did not happen either.

Realising that she had been duped, she approached the Hyderabad Cyber Crimes wing and filed a complaint. The police registered a case and began an investigation to find the accused.

Public advisory

- Be cautious and wary of online part-time job offers and investment schemes that promise high returns by working from home through the ‘click, rate and earn’ scheme.

- Verify properly before accepting such offers and sharing your financial or personal details.

- Scammers will approach victims through various social media platforms i.e. Telegram, WhatsApp, X, Instagram and Facebook by advertising fake investment apps/websites.

- Such schemes are fraudulent and do not have SEBI’s endorsement.

- Fraudsters will use simple tactics to lure gullible investors with promises of high returns and will show fake screenshots of profit. Afterwards, they will credit a small amount into the victim’s account to gain confidence.

Victims of cybercrime fraud can immediately dial 1930 or file a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in/). Victims can also reach out through the WhatsApp number 8712665171.