Bengaluru: Make easy money in just 25 minutes turned into ‘lose money easily in just 25 clicks’! A 20-year-old student rose to the bait on an Instagram handle and lost more than Rs 2 lakh in an online investment scam.According to a complaint filed by the student, a resident of AECS Layout in Begur, she came across an Instagram advertisement on July 22 from the account, Arshii-Parveen, claiming users could earn substantial profits online within 25 minutes without any risk.She readily contacted the person behind the advertisement by phone. The fraudster convinced her to make an initial investment of Rs 650, assuring her it would generate a return of Rs 14,999.He sent a link to her on WhatsApp, asking her to register and enter the required details, including her personal details and banking credentials. She followed the instructions. After the first payment, instead of releasing the promised profit, the fraudster persuaded her to invest additional amounts, claiming all the earnings would be paid together once the investment process was completed.The student failed to notice enough red flags. In good faith, she transferred money in multiple transactions from her two bank accounts to a bank account provided by the fraudster. In total, she transferred Rs 2,01,023.When she tried to withdraw the money, neither the promised returns nor the invested amount was refunded. After discussing with her family members, she lodged a complaint.Police registered a case of cheating under the Information Technology Act. A senior officer said the public should remain cautious of social media advertisements promising guaranteed high returns with little or no risk, as they are a common tactic used by cyber fraudsters to lure unsuspecting victims.Be Safe From Such Frauds:– Be wary of unrealistic returns: Avoid investment schemes promising huge profits in a short time with little or no risk.-Verify before investing: Check whether the investment platform or company is registered with the appropriate regulatory authorities before transferring money.-Never share banking credentials: Do not disclose your bank account details, debit/credit card information, OTPs, PINs, CVV, or internet banking passwords with anyone.-Research online advertisements: Verify the authenticity of investment offers and social media advertisements through official websites and trusted sources.-Avoid unknown links: Do not click on links received through social media or messaging apps unless you have verified their legitimacy.-If you fall victim to an online scam, immediately report it to the Cyber Helpline by calling 1930 or filing a complaint.
