A 56-year-old Nagpur resident, Sarikonda Raju, fell victim to a cunning fraudster who managed to con him out of a staggering Rs 77 lakhs. The fraudulent scheme involved persuading Raju to earn money by merely “liking” videos on the popular platform, YouTube.
The elaborate scam began when Raju was first contacted by the cybercriminal via his Telegram account. The scammer, who purportedly posed as an opportunity-seeker, convinced Raju to send screenshots of YouTube channels he had “liked” as part of this so-called money-making venture.
Initial interactions seemed innocuous, with Raju receiving some payments for the seemingly simple task. Encouraged by these transactions, he even went a step further and shared his bank account details, believing it was for receiving the promised earnings.
However, the situation took a nefarious turn when the fraudster, exploiting the access to Raju’s bank account details, initiated unauthorized transactions that siphoned substantial sums of money from his account.
As the victim grappled with the aftermath of this financial deception, the crime branch sprang into action. On Saturday, they apprehended a bookie named Sagar Banode from a residence in Gadge Nagar on Ramna Maroti Road. It was during this arrest that Banode was found accepting bets on the highly anticipated World Cup match between India and Pakistan, revealing a potentially illegal betting angle in the case.
Raju’s unfortunate experience serves as a stark reminder of the ever-evolving tactics employed by cybercriminals to defraud unsuspecting victims. While “liking” videos on YouTube might sound like a straightforward task, this incident underscores the importance of vigilant online behavior, skepticism toward unsolicited offers, and the necessity of safeguarding personal financial information.
Local authorities are investigating the matter further to trace the funds and bring the cybercriminals responsible for this devious scheme to justice. This incident is a sobering reminder of the need for continued public awareness and cybersecurity education to prevent such scams in the future.
Users are advised to be cautious of unsolicited messages or contact from strangers, especially on social media and messaging platforms. It is always better to verify the identity and legitimacy of anyone making financial offers. If an opportunity or offer seems too good to be true, research it thoroughly. Scammers often prey on people’s desire for easy money. Look for reviews and credible sources.