Online crime and theft are on rise, especially in these past few months. In a latest such case, a 27-year-old engineer in Udupi (Karnataka) lost Rs 52 lakh to a fake Amazon job offer scam.
The Hindu reports that the victim received a WhatsApp message from a person claiming to be an Amazon executive. The person offered the victim a part-time job promising heavy returns for performing certain tasks.
The victim was tempted by the offer and agreed to take up the job. He was then asked to transfer money to various bank accounts for different tasks. He transferred a total of Rs 52 lakh between August 3 and September 23, 2023.
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However, after transferring the money, the victim did not receive any returns or any further communication from the person who had offered them the job. He realised that he had been scammed and filed a complaint with the police.
The police are investigating the case and trying to track down the scammers.
This isn’t the first case from Karnataka. A 55-year-old man fell prey to a scam losing Rs 10.52 lakh over three months. These incidents are a reminder to be wary of online job offers, especially those that promise high returns with little effort. It is important to verify the authenticity of such job offers before proceeding with it.
To avoid falling victim to online job scams, be alert of job offers that promise high returns with little effort. It is also important to research the company that is offering the job to make sure it is legitimate. Always keep in mind not to share any personal information, such as your bank account number or Social Security number, to anyone claiming to be a recruiter.
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