A 40-year-old doctor from Navi Mumbai lost Rs 17 lakh to scammers posing as Airbnb representatives in a fake review scheme. The scammers lured the doctor with initial payments and fake success stories, ultimately leading her to make multiple payments. The victim’s attempts to withdraw supposed earnings were blocked, prompting her to file an FIR with the local police.

The scam began in May when the doctor, affiliated with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, received a message on Telegram from a woman named Sahara Kalyani. The message offered a part-time opportunity to review properties listed on Airbnb for extra income. Intrigued by the offer, the doctor decided to participate in the scheme.

Initially, the process seemed legitimate. After completing her first set of reviews, she received Rs 11,000 and an additional commission of Rs 983. Encouraged by the prompt payments, she continued to engage in the tasks. However, the scammers soon requested her to pay Rs 11,000 to continue accessing the platform and complete more reviews.

To build trust, the scammers added the doctor to a Telegram group with other alleged participants, mostly women, who shared their success stories and earnings. This manipulation led the doctor to make multiple payments, totaling Rs 17.27 lakh. She was convinced that she was earning substantial returns.

As the amount in her account grew to Rs 37.48 lakh, the doctor attempted to withdraw her earnings. However, she was informed that a 30 percent commission on the total amount was required to complete the withdrawal. Realizing the absurdity of this demand, she sensed something was wrong and tried to withdraw her funds without paying the commission.

Despite her efforts, the doctor was unable to access her funds. She then approached the local Kharghar police station and registered an FIR against the unidentified fraudsters. The police are now investigating the case to track down the culprits.

This incident highlights the growing menace of online task scams, where fraudsters exploit individuals seeking additional income through work-from-home opportunities. Such scams often involve initial payments and fake testimonials to build credibility and lure victims into making further payments.

To stay safe from online task scams, always verify the legitimacy of the platform or individual offering the job. Research the company and read reviews from multiple sources. Be wary of unsolicited messages offering easy money, as legitimate companies rarely make such offers through informal channels like messaging apps.

Legitimate companies do not require upfront payments for accessing job platforms or tasks. Be cautious of any request for money to continue working or access your earnings. Always communicate through official channels and avoid using personal messaging apps for professional transactions.

If you encounter a suspicious job offer or scam, report it to local authorities and cybercrime cells. Staying vigilant and informed is crucial to avoiding such traps and protecting your finances.

This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of skepticism and due diligence when engaging with online job offers. By staying aware and cautious, individuals can protect themselves from falling victim to scams and frauds in the digital age.

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