From mint · Kirti Jha · · 1m 10s
Google Review Scam: 20 People Lose ₹1 Crore
Over 20 people in Visakhapatnam lost ₹1 crore to Google review scams within a month.
In brief
Over 20 people in Visakhapatnam lost ₹1 crore to Google review scams within a month. Fraudsters tricked victims with small payouts before demanding larger deposits, freezing accounts and blocking withdrawals. Originally reported by mint.
Google Review Scam Impact
Over 20 people in Visakhapatnam reportedly lost ₹1 crore in a month to a Google review scam.
“More than 20 people in Visakhapatnam reportedly lost ₹ 1 crore in a month to a Google Review job scam”
How the Scam Works
Fraudsters use small initial payouts to build trust before demanding larger deposits.
“Fraudsters used small initial payouts to build trust before demanding larger deposits”
Victim Case Details
A 38-year-old resident lost over ₹10 lakh after being approached via Telegram with fake money offers.
“In one case, a 38-year-old resident was allegedly cheated of more than ₹ 10 lakh after being approached through Telegram with offers to earn money by completing simple online tasks”
Scam Process
Victim received ₹120 per task, deposited ₹500 for ₹630, then invested ₹3,000 for ₹4,300.
“A person identifying himself as a customer manager initially paid the victim ₹ 120 per task. The victim was then encouraged to deposit money to earn higher returns. After depositing ₹ 500 and receiving ₹ 630, he reportedly invested ₹ 3,000 and received ₹ 4,300”
Account Freezing
Fraudsters claimed trading errors froze accounts and demanded additional payments to reactivate funds.
“The alleged operators then demanded additional payments to reactivate the account and release the funds. Another person, who presented himself as a withdrawal manager, reportedly asked for further deposits and claimed that the victim needed to improve his credit score before the money could be released”
Warning Signs
Claims of frozen accounts, trading errors, withdrawal processing or credit-score requirements should not be accepted without verification.
“Claims involving frozen accounts, trading errors, withdrawal processing or credit-score requirements should not be accepted without independent verification”
Police Action
Visakhapatnam city police registered a case for organised crime, cheating, impersonation and identity theft.
“Following complaints from victims, Visakhapatnam city police reportedly registered a case involving allegations of organised crime, cheating, impersonation and identity theft”
Consumer Advice
Do not pay to earn, trust initial payouts, stop when withdrawals are blocked, preserve evidence, report fraud promptly.
“Consumers should take the following precautions: Do not pay to earn: Be wary of jobs that require deposits to unlock tasks, commissions or higher-paying assignments.”
The one thing
Fraudsters tricked victims with small payouts before demanding larger deposits, freezing accounts and blocking withdrawals.
