By Gladson, Threat Analyst
Multi-layered and complex fraud schemes are infringing on job seekers by sending unsolicited WhatsApp and Telegram messages that leverage recognizable brand names to extract money and personal information. These schemes have transitioned into organized criminal schemes that exploit human psychology, and take advantage of digital anonymity, often with devastating results!
The Contact begins by scammers utilizing foreign phone numbers (example: +880 XXXX-6XX3XX) to send unsolicited messages through WhatsApp about an “online task job”. The initial pitch appears to be innocent:
“I’m Riya. Actually I’m contacting you for online task job with this you can earn a good amount in your free time”
Search “Micromax India Official” on YouTube
Scammers create convincing profiles using stolen images of attractive females and these profiles exhibit as “Frontline Receptionist” in telegram with usernames that appear affiliated. The victims were paid ₹150 to establish trust as bait to continue moving forward. Once trust is earned, and now the scam begins:
Screenshots are part of “proof” of engagement but all of these false engagement metrics and fake visibility engagement is to create artificial social proof for the scammer´s authenticity.
After the victims are made to do all the YouTube steps, here comes the real trap where victims are told they have to make prepaid deposits to “verify the account”. The conversation makes it apparent how quickly the scammer will make up fake payment reference codes”. Then they are requested to send screenshots as act of saying “you need to share your UPI sir”. Use completed YouTube engagement as “evidence” of real partnership. What begins as a small deposit rapidly morphs into larger “investment amounts” and “security verifications” ultimately harming victims to the tune of several Lakh rupees. Below is reference to such crimes.
We have seen documented cases of people losing huge amounts – one of which was ₹13,000, even when scammers recognized the fraud, they refused to return the deposit. Cryptocurrency cashing are global untraceable payments, fake investment opportunities, and high returns as part of “partnership programs”. Urgency is created saying limited time offers to get the victim to act quickly.
Another instance where Abhishek Chaudhary shared his experience with similar pre-paid task fraud that he experienced as an online scam aimed at job seekers. A scammer who pretended to be a recruiter offered him small amounts of money for fake Google review jobs, which he paid to build trust–₹130 and then ₹300. Later, they introduced “pre-paid tasks” involving paying ₹1,000 up front for greater payouts. Noticing the major red flag, he blocked them before he had lost any money. This particular scam is an example of prepaid fraud, which relies on baiting victims emphasizing easy money, without revealing that the final step in the process is to pay upfront for something that is fake. The main takeaway here is that if it is too good to be true, it probably is– so remain alert.
Unsolicited job offers received directly from messaging apps, especially if they guarantee easy money for a little bit of effort. Be wary if you are asked to pay in advance and/or deposit money, or if it is a foreign number (for example, an international phone number with an Indian company). A lack of official verification or documentation can also be a red flag. Online scammers may also ask you for your financial personal information via your smartphone or request screenshots of your sensitive documents. Their communication is usually generic with poor grammar and urges to take the conversation to a private platform; they typically avoid video or phone calls which makes it harder for you to verify their identity.
Due to the sophistication of modern scams connected with fraud across the online space, it is highly important to consider that individuals and organizations must remain vigilant and actively aware of who you are communicating with, so to minimize the potential risk for financial or emotional impact. This report evidences a summary of scams detected through research and true victim situations.