A Pune tax consultant lost Rs 2.72 crore in a fake Google review work-from-home scam. Here's how the fraud worked and the warning signs everyone should know.

A 51-year-old tax consultant from Pune allegedly lost Rs 2.72 crore after falling victim to a sophisticated ‘work-from-home Google review’ scam that operated through Telegram and a fraudulent online platform.

According to a report by The Indian Express, the case has been registered with Pune City’s Cyber Crime Police Station, where investigators are now tracking the bank accounts allegedly used

How the Pune Victim Was Drawn Into the Scam

According to the report, the victim first received a Telegram message advertising a work-from-home opportunity that promised earnings for completing simple online tasks.

He was asked to join a Telegram group where members were instructed to post positive Google reviews for businesses. After completing a few review tasks and sharing screenshots as proof, he reportedly received a small payment, reinforcing the impression that the scheme was legitimate.

Investigators believe these early payouts were used to build trust before introducing more expensive tasks that required advance payments.

What Is the ‘Online Task Fraud’ Scam?

Cyber police say this type of fraud typically begins with offers to earn money by performing simple online activities such as liking videos, reviewing businesses, rating products, or boosting social media engagement.

Victims are initially paid small amounts to create confidence in the system. Once trust is established, scammers introduce so-called ‘premium’ or ‘prepaid’ tasks that require participants to deposit their own money in exchange for promises of higher returns.

The promised profits are often displayed on fake websites or apps controlled by the fraudsters, creating the illusion that earnings are accumulating.

How the Scam Works

Police say the fraud generally follows a predictable pattern:

• Victims receive a message offering easy online income.
• They complete basic tasks and receive small payments.
• Fraudsters then offer higher-paying assignments that require advance deposits.
• The amount required for each task gradually increases.
• Fake dashboards or platforms show growing profits.
• When victims attempt to withdraw their earnings, they are asked to pay additional fees or complete more tasks.
• Eventually, withdrawals are blocked and the fraudsters disappear.

  In the Pune case, the victim allegedly carried out 33 separate transactions over nearly two months after being convinced that larger deposits would unlock larger returns.

   

  Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore

   

  Cybersecurity experts and police routinely advise the public to watch for these red flags:

   

  • Guaranteed returns for simple online work.
  • Requests to pay money to earn money.
  • Job offers received through Telegram or unknown messaging groups.
  • Platforms showing profits that cannot be independently verified.
  • Pressure to complete tasks quickly or upgrade to higher-paying levels.
  • Repeated demands for additional payments before withdrawals are allowed.

   

   

  Police Investigation Underway

   

  The Indian Express reported that Pune cyber crime investigators have begun tracing the network of mule accounts allegedly used in the fraud.

  Officials noted that similar ‘task fraud’ cases have surfaced repeatedly in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad in recent years, with scammers exploiting the growing popularity of work-from-home opportunities and side-income schemes.

  Authorities advise citizens to verify online job offers carefully and avoid transferring money to unknown individuals or platforms promising unusually high returns.