Pune woman loses over Rs 13 Lakh under false promise of earning for hotel ratings

Pune woman loses over Rs 13 Lakh under false promise of earning for hotel ratings - Pune Pulse
In recent months, a woman residing in Pune has fallen prey to a deceptive online scheme, leading to a loss exceeding Rs 13 lakh. She was initially enticed by the prospect of earning money by rating hotels and restaurants online, but the outcome was far from what she expected.
Throughout this year, a disconcerting trend has emerged, with numerous individuals losing their savings to cunning online predators.
These individuals often fall victim to enticing promises of easy money in exchange for seemingly straightforward tasks. Regrettably, after commencing these tasks, they are coerced into making investments, which ultimately results in substantial financial losses.
A recent incident from Pune illustrates this ongoing problem. A woman, who was employed by a private company in Pune, sought to supplement her income by exploring online opportunities.
She was lured by the promise of being paid to evaluate hotels and restaurants on the internet. However, the endeavor took a perilous turn, and she ended up forfeiting more than Rs 13 lakh. Below is a detailed account of the unfortunate events that transpired.
Pune Woman’s Deception in the Hotel Rating Scam
As per reports, the woman, employed by a private firm in Pune, unwittingly became a victim of a sophisticated online scam, resulting in a staggering loss of Rs 13.76 lakh. Distressed by this substantial loss, she decided to file a formal complaint with the Wakad police.
According to her statement, the scam unfolded on July 18 when she was approached by online fraudsters offering her an ostensibly lucrative part-time job opportunity.
Initially, her role appeared straightforward: rate hotels and restaurants online and receive Rs 150 for each rating. The woman diligently completed several of these tasks, reaping modest financial gains. However, as time progressed, she was coerced into undertaking what the scammers referred to as “prepaid tasks.” She remained in contact with the fraudsters until October 13, continuously executing the tasks assigned to her.
The situation took a sinister turn when the woman endeavored to withdraw her initial investment and accrued profits. Instead of facilitating the withdrawal, the fraudsters demanded further investments for the promise of greater returns.
Faced with this predicament, she made the prudent decision to seek the intervention of law enforcement, reporting the scam and the substantial financial loss she had suffered.