In two separate cases in Karnataka, over Rs 10 Lakh lost in online job scams

MANGALURU: Two working professionals from Mangaluru fell prey to online job scams, collectively losing over Rs 10 lakh in separate incidents.A working professional lost Rs 6.50 lakh in a part-time job scam.

In a complaint, she said that while searching online for a part-time job opportunity, she received a WhatsApp message on June 25, claiming to be from an "HR Assistant - NSE Exchange," offering a part-time, work-from-home job.

The message claimed that the job could earn the individual between Rs 5,000 and Rs 20,000.The complainant was asked to join through a link and instructed to download the Telegram app. Further communication was conducted through the link.

She was assigned 20 work tasks and given a working ID number. When asked for bank details, she shared her details. Initially, she completed 30 tasks and received Rs 180 in her account, followed by Rs 200 after completing 10–20 more tasks. On June 26, she was assigned a new "trade task" and instructed to deposit Rs 800 to an account number held by a person named Pranjal.Between June 26 and June 28, she was made to transfer funds to multiple accounts across banks, as well as via UPI.

When none of the money was refunded, she realised that she was duped and filed a case at Mangaluru Rural Police Station.In another case, a medical professional allegedly lost Rs 4.20 lakh in an online scam. The complainant reportedly received a call on June 6 from a person named Sangeetha, who claimed to be working at NMC Hospital in Dubai. She informed the complainant to send relevant details via email, and subsequently, an email was received regarding the job position and salary details, sent to the complainant’s email ID.Later, a person named Vinay Singh contacted the complainant over the phone and, upon confirming the complainant's interest in the position, instructed the complainant to pay a registration fee of Rs 5,499. Accordingly, on June 13, the complainant transferred the amount. Following this, on June 16, the victim was asked to pay Rs 25,960 as profile verification charges, and on subsequent dates, transferred money in phases.

On June 17, a payment of an additional Rs 82,600 for a DHA license, and on June 21, Rs 75,000 and Rs 25,000 were transferred. On June 24, amounts of Rs 50,000 each were paid for NOC Part 1 and Part 2.Subsequently, the accused asked the victim transfer an additional Rs 2.62 lakh. However, by then, the complainant grew suspicious and did not proceed with the transaction. Upon checking with friends regarding the job offer, the complainant was informed that no such position exists. Realising the fraud, a complaint was filed at the Kankanady Town Police Station.