Google Review Scam: Over 20 Victims Lose ₹1 Crore in Visakhapatnam
Fraudsters use small initial payouts to build trust before demanding large investment sums.
1The Anatomy of Fraud
In Visakhapatnam, over 20 residents lost a combined ₹1 crore in one month through a deceptive Google review scheme. Fraudsters initially offered small payments for simple tasks via Telegram. This tactic successfully built trust, leading victims to invest larger sums, only to face total financial loss and account freezing.
2Escalation of Financial Demands
Victims were initially paid small amounts, such as ₹120 per task, to create a false sense of legitimacy. Once trust was established, perpetrators encouraged larger deposits for higher returns. One victim lost over ₹10 lakh after being directed to a fraudulent online trading platform that promised significant profit margins.
3The Frozen Account Trap
When victims attempted to withdraw their funds, they were informed of fake trading errors that supposedly froze their accounts. The scammers then demanded additional payments to reactivate these accounts. They further cited requirements like credit score improvements to justify withholding the original investment and the promised returns from the victims.
4Warning Signs and Red Flags
Key indicators of this scam include requests for upfront fees to release earnings or resolve withdrawal issues. Claims regarding frozen accounts, trading errors, or credit score requirements are common manipulation tactics. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre warns that any demand for additional charges to unlock funds is a major red flag.
5Police Investigation and Charges
Following the reports, Visakhapatnam city police registered a formal case against the perpetrators. The charges include organized crime, cheating, impersonation, and identity theft. Authorities are investigating the Telegram-based operations that facilitated these transactions, aiming to track the individuals behind the fake customer manager and withdrawal manager roles used in scams.
6Recurring Patterns in Cybercrime
This incident mirrors a broader trend in task-based online fraud where criminals exploit the desire for easy earnings. By starting with low-risk, low-reward tasks, scammers effectively lower the defenses of their targets. This psychological manipulation makes individuals more susceptible to committing larger capital, which is then immediately siphoned off by operators.
7Protecting Personal Financial Assets
Financial security requires independent verification of any platform promising high returns for minimal effort. Never accept claims of account freezes or mandatory credit score payments without official, third-party confirmation. Legitimate investment platforms do not typically demand additional deposits to release funds already shown in a user's account balance or dashboard.
8Institutional Response to Fraud
The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal remains the primary channel for victims to report such incidents. These coordinated scams highlight the necessity for increased public awareness regarding digital financial hygiene. As fraudsters refine their impersonation techniques, maintaining skepticism toward unsolicited job offers and high-return investment schemes is essential for protecting assets.
Original article: mint - money — Google Review Scam: Over 20 Victims Lose ₹1 Crore in Visakhapatnam