Mumbai woman scammed of Rs 17 lakh in fake Airbnb review job

A Mumbai-based doctor fell victim to a scam orchestrated by fraudsters posing as representatives of Airbnb, resulting in a loss of Rs 17 lakh. The elaborate scam involved enticing the victim with online tasks promising easy money, a growing trend that has ensnared many across the country in recent months.

The ordeal began when the 40-year-old doctor, affiliated with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, received a message on Telegram in May from someone identifying as Sahara Kalyani. The message offered an attractive opportunity: earn additional income by reviewing properties listed on Airbnb. Intrigued, the doctor decided to explore this income-generating avenue.

Initially, the scam appeared legitimate. After completing her first set of property reviews, the doctor received payments totalling Rs 11,000 along with an additional commission of Rs 983. Encouraged by these initial earnings, she continued to engage in the tasks provided by the fraudsters. However, the situation quickly escalated when the scammers demanded Rs 11,000 from her to maintain access to the platform and continue with more reviews.

To further build her confidence, the fraudsters added the doctor to a Telegram group supposedly filled with successful participants, mostly women, who shared their positive experiences and earnings. These manipulative tactics persuaded the doctor to make multiple payments, eventually summing up to Rs 17.27 lakh.

As her account balance ostensibly grew to Rs 37.48 lakh, the doctor attempted to withdraw her earnings. To her dismay, she was informed that she needed to pay a 30 per cent commission on the total amount to complete the withdrawal process. Sensing foul play, she attempted to withdraw her funds but was unsuccessful.

Subsequently, the doctor approached the Kharghar police station and promptly filed an FIR against the unidentified fraudsters. The police are now investigating the case to apprehend the culprits responsible for this significant financial fraud.

How to stay safe from online task scams

This is not the first case of people getting duped by such tasks. Many cases have been reported in which scammers follow similar tactics to lure victims. Here are some important tips to help you be vigilant and stay safe from such scams:

• Always verify the legitimacy of the platform or individual offering an online job. Research the company and read reviews from multiple sources.

• Be wary of unsolicited messages offering easy money. Legitimate companies rarely make such offers through informal channels like messaging apps.

• Always remember that legitimate companies do not require upfront payments for accessing job platforms or tasks. Be cautious of any request for money to continue working or access your earnings.

• Always communicate through official channels and avoid using personal messaging apps for professional transactions.