Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹5.69 Lakh in Instagram Scam: Is Meta Doing Enough?

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In a shocking case of digital fraud, a 27-year-old woman from Chandigarh was duped out of ₹5.69 lakh through an Instagram-based work-from-home scam. The fraudsters lured her with promises of easy money for liking videos and gradually tricked her into making large investments under false pretenses. The entire scam was orchestrated through WhatsApp and Telegram, where scammers manipulated her into believing she was earning real profits.

Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹5.69 Lakh in Instagram Scam.
Chandigarh Woman Loses ₹5.69 Lakh in Instagram Scam.

How the Scam Was Executed

The scam began on March 25, when the victim, residing in Rajeev Colony, Sector 17, received a WhatsApp message from a woman named Sneha Verma, claiming to represent a legitimate company offering work-from-home opportunities. The victim was assured that she could earn between ₹4,000 and ₹8,000 daily by simply liking Instagram videos.

Once she showed interest, she was added to a Telegram group where she received further instructions. Initially, the scammers allowed her to complete small tasks and credited fake earnings to her account, making the scheme appear legitimate. Seeing the seemingly effortless income, she became convinced that the opportunity was genuine.

The Investment Trap

After gaining her trust, the fraudsters introduced an "investment" scheme, promising higher returns for depositing money into specific accounts. Excited about increasing her earnings, she transferred ₹1.5 lakh across multiple bank accounts provided by the scammers. Over time, as she saw fake profits accumulating in her scam-linked account, she continued investing, ultimately losing ₹5.69 lakh.

The fraudsters used a manipulated app that falsely displayed growing earnings. When she attempted to withdraw her so-called profits, she was informed that she needed a "100-point score" to be eligible. To meet the requirement, she was asked to deposit an additional ₹5 lakh. At this stage, she realized she was being scammed and immediately informed her family before lodging a complaint at the Cybercrime Police Station in Chandigarh.

Is Meta Doing Enough to Prevent Such Scams?

The case has raised concerns over the effectiveness of Meta’s (Instagram’s parent company) fraud prevention mechanisms. Despite Instagram's policies against fraudulent activities and its AI-based scam detection tools, fraudsters continue to operate on the platform. Many victims are drawn into such schemes daily, with scammers using fake profiles and shell accounts to exploit unsuspecting users.

How to Protect Yourself from Online Scams

With cyber frauds becoming increasingly sophisticated, staying vigilant is crucial. Here are some key safety measures:

  • Be cautious of job offers promising easy money, especially those received via WhatsApp, Telegram, or social media.

  • Never share personal or financial details with strangers, even if they appear legitimate.

  • Verify company legitimacy by researching online reviews and checking for complaints.

  • Use official job portals rather than relying on unverified messages or groups.

  • Report suspicious activity to cybercrime authorities and the respective platform to prevent others from falling victim.

As online fraud continues to rise, experts urge social media users to be cautious and skeptical of any scheme that seems too good to be true. Authorities are currently investigating the case to track down the perpetrators and prevent further scams.

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