Opinion | Online Scams Stripping People of Hard- Earned Money 

Job seekers face challenges from lack of job opportunities, high unemployment rates and layoffs. Working from home online has become a popular trend, but it has also led to an increase in fraudulent schemes. Scammers often target unsuspecting victims, promising simple online jobs such as data entry or live phone calls. They demand a bond to pay for their services, then disappear, leaving victims without work or money. India’s unemployment rate rises to 8.30% in December 2022 as scammers target desperate jobseekers. These scammers are not limited to India as they have been reported in the Middle East as well. They often have fake websites and profiles that look legitimate, making it difficult to distinguish a real offer from a scam scheme. Easy money can make you lose money!

A woman living in Vizag was defrauded of Rs 5. lakh in early January, according to the Vizag Cyber Crime Police. According to media reports, a resident of Visalakshi Nagar received a phone call from an unknown number promising him a good salary by working from home. After initially rejecting the offer, the alleged fraudster deposited Rs 100 into her bank account to gain her trust. Later, he agreed to work and got 00 rupees in his account after asking him to like and share videos on YouTube. After several tasks, the lady was redirected to another page and asked to pay Rs 5,000. He was told that he would receive a commission of 30% on paying the required amount, thereby earning a total of Rs 70,200. Again, I paid 88,000 rupees, 2,50,000 and Rs.1,50,000 represents commission.

Once all the payments are made, the victim is also asked to make another payment to withdraw the amount they deposited. I came to know about it and lodged a complaint with Vizag cyber crime police. The case is being further investigated. Stolen dreams and money In December, a 27-year-old resident was tricked by two men running a recruitment agency under the pretense of working in Azerbaijan.

An official said the complaint was registered at the Kapurbawdi police station. The accused reportedly promised to find him a job as a mobile crane operator in Azerbaijan and asked him to pay Rs 95,000 for various expenses.

After payment, his work invitation and ticket were found to be forged. The accused allegedly closed the office and fled after making the payment. Officials said police investigation revealed that 25 job seekers were defrauded of a total of Rs 2.2 lakh. In another report, the Visakhapatnam police busted a scam ring in the name of online part-time jobs on December 29.

According to Nouakchott News Agency reports, police have arrested six people in the case, namely Suman Sah, Subham Singh, Deepak Sargra, Ranveer Chauhan, Mitu La Jat and Vikas Pasitha. Birwa gang youths in Rajasthan are said to have played an important role in the gang. Police said the gang robbed a total of 78 people and 2.5 million rupees. They also confiscated 30 mobile phones, 20 SIM cards, 26 ATM cards, 37bank cheques, 56 fake stamps and eight folders with fake company names.

The police revealed, “They made SIM cards based on the fingerprints of people who came for Aadhar and cheated them.” The Strange Case of Fake Government Websites Fraudsters have created a fake Jharkhand government website that posts job applications for Jharkhand Public Service Commission (JPSC) qualified people.

Candidates are invited to apply for the 7,756 vacancies for the post between 13 December 2022 and January 2023. After identifying the website as fake, the Jharkhand government said victims should be held accountable if they were scammed.

– The author can be reached at Musaibrafiqdesk@gmail.com