Even before the police had the opportunity to identify dozens of online ‘task frauds,’ another middle-aged man fell victim to the cyber fraudsters and lost more than Rs 7.73 lakh to them in a similar scam.
Arshad Iqbal Haider Khan (54), of Plot No 89, Naik Road, Mahal, received a message on his phone from cell number +918176977163, and one Anjali added him to a Telegram App group. She informed him that he could earn and make quick cash by liking YouTube videos and providing screenshots. She promised him that he would be compensated for each screen shot.
Arshad Iqbal accepted the offer because he was allegedly looking for a new technique to make quick and cheap wealth. He began receiving funds in his account as he began watching YouTube videos and sharing screenshots.
After winning his trust, the web scammers persuaded him to invest money by promising high profits and supplied him with the bank account information. As a result, between December 1, 2023 and December 4, 2023, Arshad Iqbal deposited Rs 7,76,922 in various accounts.
The funds were then plundered from the accounts by the scammers. As the scammers disrupted all communications and no more funds were documented in his account, he approached the authorities and launched a complaint.
On the basis of the victim’s allegation, Cyber Police registered a case under Sections 419,420,465,468,471 of the Indian Penal Code, read with Section 66(d) of the Information Technology Act, and commenced an investigation.