Common Scams 
The ‘Work from Home and Make Thousands a Week’ Scam
Real work-from-home jobs never demand upfront payments
I n September 2023, a woman received a WhatsApp message which offered a lucrative work-from-home opportunity. It began with a simple, straightforward message on WhatsApp. The sender offered her an easy job where she would have
to provide positive reviews and feedback for restaurants, online. Although reluctant at first, the woman later relented upon being sent Rs 210 as a “trial payment” by the scammer.
Once she agreed to do the work, the scammer sent her a Telegram link and asked her to join an online group. Over time, she was instructed to transfer large sums of money to various bank accounts, and by the time she realized she had been scammed, she had already lost a hefty sum of Rs 23.5 lakh.
This is one of the many examples of the disastrous effect of work-from-home scams that are happening all over India. Scammers are taking advantage of the increase in remote work, and unsuspecting job seekers are losing thousands.
How the Scam Works and How to Spot It
Work-from-home scams arrive in various guises, but they all follow a similar playbook. Scammers promise you easy money, gain your trust, and ultimately steal from you. Here are some of the most common scams happening:
- The MLM Trap: Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) scams promise financial freedom. You’re asked to invest in products and recruit others. The reality? You make little to no money unless you constantly bring in new people. In most cases, only the top few benefit while everyone else loses.
- The ‘Pay for Training’ Racket: A recruiter offers a high-paying remote job. But there is a catch! You are asked to pay for mandatory training. Once you pay, the job never materializes. Genuine employers never ask for money for hiring.
- The Suspicious Recruiter: A “recruiter” contacts you via WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media with an incredible job offer. No interview, no details! Just the promise to earn a quick buck. If they avoid detailed questions about the company, it is most likely to be a scam.
- High-Pay, Low-Effort Jobs: Ads which claim you can earn thousands with minimal work are likely fake. No real company pays huge salaries for tasks like clicking links or writing fake reviews.
- Personal Data Theft: Scammers posing as employers ask for your Aadhaar number, PAN card, or banking details under the pretext of “verification.” This data can be used for identity theft or fraud, be careful.
How to Avoid Getting Scammed
- Research the company: Google the company name and check reviews.
- Watch out for vague job descriptions: If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
- Never pay upfront: Legitimate employers never ask for money to get started.
- Check official communication: Real companies use corporate email addresses, not random WhatsApp numbers.
- Verify recruiters: If a recruiter contacts you out of nowhere, check their LinkedIn profile and company website first before making a decision.
Here’s What to Do If You’ve Been Scammed
- Report it immediately: File a complaint with cybercrime authorities.
- Alert your bank: If you’ve made a transfer, your bank may be able to help recover your funds.
- Warn others: Share your experience online to prevent others from falling victim.
- Stay informed: Keep up with common scams so you can spot them before they reach you.
Many smart, hardworking people have fallen victim to a scam. The most important takeaway is to be alert and be careful not to make decisions when desperation clouds your rational judgement. Real work-from-home jobs exist, and they don’t ask for payments upfront or make false promises that are never delivered.
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