Pune: A 34-year-old woman from Wakad lost Rs 28.77 lakh in an online task fraud after responding to a work-from-home offer on social media. The fraudsters initially paid her for posting hotel reviews before persuading her to transfer larger sums on the promise of higher returns.The fraud took place between Sept 13 and Oct 2. The woman, who works with a private company, approached the Wakad police on Saturday and lodged a complaint.An officer from the Wakad police said the woman came across an advertisement offering work-from-home opportunities on Sept 13. She was assigned to post reviews of hotels online and received Rs 200 after completing her first task.The fraudsters then persuaded her to take up prepaid tasks to earn more. She initially transferred Rs 800 and received Rs 1,040 in return. A subsequent transfer of Rs 1,000 earned her Rs 1,350. She then transferred Rs 2,000 and Rs 3,900.“The crooks then told the woman to invest more to earn more. Believing them, she transferred Rs 7,000. She was promised Rs 9,100 in return. But the amount was not credited to her bank account,” the officer said.The fraudsters subsequently demanded more money, citing various reasons and promising to return her earlier payments. The woman continued transferring funds and depositing cash in an attempt to recover her money.Between Sept 13 and Oct 2, she deposited Rs 10 lakh through a cash deposit machine and transferred another Rs 18.77 lakh online, taking her total loss to Rs 28.77 lakh. She approached the police after realising she had been cheated.
