Introduction:
In recent times, cybercrimes in India have increased rapidly, with con artists using various methods to deceive people out of their hard-earned money. These scams are often carried out through text messages or phone calls, with the fraudsters telling convincing stories that include monetary gains as bait. Sadly, many people have fallen for these scams, including a 27-year-old Mumbai-based accountant who lost Rs 7.23 lakhs after being conned by cyber criminals.
The Scam:
The Mumbai woman received a text message promising that she could subscribe to YouTube channels and earn money. She clicked on a link to a part-time job offer and received Rs 120 credited to her account when she subscribed to the two channels mentioned in the message. The con artists then requested that she send a screenshot of the subscribed YouTube accounts and sent her a “job code,” which she was asked to transfer to a Telegram account. After she sent the working code, the cybercriminals asked for her bank details and used them to transfer Rs 7,23,889 from her account through four different transactions.
Preventing Such Cases:
To prevent falling prey to such scams, it is important to exercise caution and take certain precautions. Firstly, it is advisable to look for job openings on credible job portals such as LinkedIn, Naukri.com, and Indeed. If applying through other channels, thoroughly research the employer and their business before providing any personal information or depositing any money into their account.
It is also important to be cautious when providing personal information like name and phone number and only do so on reputable websites. Moreover, never deposit money into a bank account held by a stranger, and never divulge your banking information to anyone.
Conclusion:
Cybercrimes are becoming increasingly prevalent in India, with many innocent people losing their hard-earned money to scams. It is crucial to be aware of such scams and take precautions to protect oneself from falling prey to them. By being cautious and vigilant, we can safeguard ourselves from cybercriminals and prevent such cases from occurring in the future.
