What began as a side hustle ended in a massive cyber fraud for a 30-year-old Chembur resident, who was duped of Rs 7.8 lakh by conmen running a fake “Google task” job racket.

The victim, an employee of a private credit company, received a WhatsApp message on September 7 from an unknown number offering restaurant review assignments for Rs 40 per review. He then shared a Telegram link for further communication.

After joining a Telegram group named “Google Mission India 190”, the victim was asked to post reviews and share screenshots as proof. Initially, he received small payments of Rs 120 and Rs 200, which convinced him the job was genuine. Soon the fraudsters sent “investment tasks”, asking him to deposit money that would yield commissions.

Over several days, he transferred amounts ranging from Rs 15,000 to Rs 2 lakh through UPI and IMPS into multiple bank accounts. Each time he was told there was an “error in the task” and that additional payments were needed to release his returns.

When he finally refused to pay more, he was removed from the Telegram group and blocked. Realising he had been duped of a total of R7.88 lakh, he filed a complaint with the cybercrime helpline (1930) and later lodged an FIR at Chembur Police Station.

Source