Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
“It’s like I was being hypnotised,” says 29-year-old Darshit Mengle (name changed) recounting his experience. It was a mid-June afternoon, and Darshit was immersed in his work when an unassuming text message flickered on his phone screen. The message was brief, but carried an enticing proposition: “Do you want to do a part-time work-from-home job and earn money?” It was an invitation that whispered promises of financial relief and newfound prosperity. Initially cautious, as one would expect when faced with the unknown, Darshit became curious about the sender. Behind the words, the sender’s profile picture revealed a family—a subtle touch that seemed to humanise the mysterious messenger. Slowly, that initial suspicion gave way to trust.
As he chatted more with the unknown sender, his interest was piqued by the offer. The proposition was simple – all he had to do was like videos and subscribe to channels. The bait- each like and subscription promised a reward of ₹150. What followed was four days of orchestrated, organised scamming that resulted in a loss of over ₹3 Lakhs.
In the intricate world of online intrigue, Darshit’s journey unfolded with an eerie sense of inevitability. “I just went with the flow,” he admits, the words laden with a mixture of resignation and intrigue. On that initial day, as he meticulously followed their instructions, Darshit’s efforts bore fruit, earning him a modest sum of ₹750.
The allure of this newfound side gig painted a smile on his face and let his mind wander calculating potential monthly earnings. The third day proved to be the turning point, as they requested him to venture into the cryptocurrency, a demand that required a leap of faith. Darshit hesitated only momentarily before yielding. “They shared a website with me, where they created a login and password. They also added me to a group where someone called Stephen was guiding us. I would send the money and the website reflected the money I had sent as ‘amount invested’ and it also showed returns, which was really high,” he recalls.
The investment requests ascended in stages. The figures climbed from ₹1,000 to ₹13,000, and onward to ₹50,000. The figures in his “investment” seemed to reflect healthy returns on the dashboard of the website they had granted him access to, luring him with the allure of boundless affluence. “I became greedy. They are very professional, and make it all appear very authentic… I was scared to deposit 1,000 bucks and I went on to deposit ₹25,000 and more,” Darshit narrates. “With each investment, you move up a notch, as if graduating to a higher level,” he explains. “And the orchestrator often showcases others’ success stories in the group, offering public congratulations for their ‘massive winnings,” he continues. Little did Darshit realize, however, that these apparent ‘victorious’ participants were mere pawns in a well-organized criminal network. Their purpose? To intricately lay a trap that would ensnare ambitious young individuals striving to increase their monthly income through side gigs.
Then they presented him with a daunting request— to deposit ₹5,42,000. “That was big money and I was slightly cautious. I voiced my reluctance, telling them I did not want to play anymore and asked to cash out. That’s when they said that I could not withdraw the funds unless I invested more. They said that if I backed out or stopped now, I would lose all the profits and the money that I had invested. I asked them some time to make the deposit. That night I was scrolling through Instagram where I saw that of a professor in a private engineering college in Nagpur had suffered major losses after investing money in similar fashion…” Darshit recounts. What followed was months of legal procedures and so far, Darshit has received only a part of his money following a court directive to the bank.
However, Darshit is not an isolated case. The infamous Telegram Task scam, as it is frequently labeled, has been running its scheme for several months, duping countless crores from unsuspecting individuals across India.
Also Read: Scam Watch: Beyond The Hullaballoo Around The Deepfake Scam
Modus Operandi: From WhatsApp to Telegram To Crypto Platform
The Telegram scam unfolds across multiple layers, beginning with a seemingly innocent WhatsApp message from an unidentified contact inquiring if you’re seeking a part-time work-from-home opportunity. An exciting proposal follows: participants are enticed to like videos and subscribe to YouTube channels, promising rewards ranging from ₹150 to ₹250 per task. (Screenshot shared by Himanshu Yadav)
The conversation is artfully shifted to the Telegram platform, where a ‘receptionist’ awaits. Victims are assigned tasks which is usually liking videos on YouTube or follow accounts on Instagram. (Screenshot shared by Himanshu Yadav)
The victims are promptly rewarded, mirroring video games. This enables a certain level of trust, and this continues for two days. The entire scenario adopts a gamified facade. (Screenshot shared by Himanshu Yadav)
The real twist unfolds on the third day, as the ‘receptionist’ guides the victim towards the ‘next stage’—investment in cryptocurrency. The amount of money that one is told to invest is also fixed, and categorised into levels, beginning in the ranges of ₹1000, and graduating to higher denominations that climb at no particular order.
The ‘invested’ funds and their purported returns are tracked on a seemingly legitimate, albeit usually counterfeit, website, but gives added legitimacy to the investors. The ‘investment’ itself is deceptively simple, involving the transfer of money to a specific UPI ID with the ‘invested’ funds swiftly materialising on the fraudulent website. The victim is made to join different Telegram groups as he progresses up the ladder by ‘investing’ more and more money. These groups typically consist of multiple members of the scamsters’ gang who pretend to be other investors to gain the victim’s trust. Daily ‘gains’ are enthusiastically announced, contributing to the overall legitimacy of the elaborate scheme.
They are scamming people confidently without any fear of consequences.
Rizwan, 28, victim
This continues till the victim demands to withdraw the money. They are told that they cannot withdraw the money until they invest a much larger amount as withdrawal charge. Once the money is paid, they are asked to complete more tasks to make the withdrawals. This is typically the point where the victim realises that he is scammed and approaches the cops. The Telegram id of the ‘receptionist’, who coordinated with the victim, disappears by this point or becomes unresponsive.
In a strikingly similar narrative, 28-year-old Rizwan shares his ordeal, profoundly shaken by the audacity of these scamsters. “I had earmarked that money for an entirely different purpose,” he recounts with palpable frustration. “I begged them but they did not respond. It was only when I resorted to threatening about involving the police that I managed to elicit any response. They are scamming people confidently without any fear of consequences. They are always professional when you reach out to them. I got a message from them even a couple of days ago asking me to do another task,” says the techie from Surat.
Despite losing approximately ₹25,000, Rizwan opted against pursuing a legal case. “it seemed like a relatively small sum, however, the true cost of the entire ordeal was the toll it took on my mental well-being,” he candidly confesses.
Trail of death
Although Rizwan managed to limit his financial losses to a relatively smaller sum, not everyone has been that lucky. This scam, in addition to causing financial issues, has left behind a tragic trail of loss.
Consider the heart-wrenching story of Vinit (name changed), a 38-year-old private insurance worker residing in Bhopal. His involvement in the scam led to a devastating outcome, as he, along with his wife and their two young children, aged 9 and 3, tragically lost their lives after losing ₹17 lakh to the deceitful scheme.
In the suicide note accessed by Newschecker, Vinit writes, “I do not understand who cast their evil eye on our happy family. I ask forgiveness of everyone in our family who has had to suffer because of one misstep from my end.”
Like others, Vinit too embraced the work-from-home opportunity as a supplementary source of income. However, he soon found himself trapped in the complexities of the crypto platform orchestrated by the scamsters. “The folks at the company asked me to borrow loans to pay more and withdraw the money. I refused initially but I gave it a shot, and I ended up investing the borrowed money back into the (crypto) platform.”
Then matters became worse. The company from which Vinit had borrowed money resorted to blackmail tactics for the loan recovery process. “They threatened that they would morph my pictures into sleazy images and make it viral on social media” he discloses.
“I can’t meet anyone or look anyone in the eye. I have fallen in my own eyes. I am on the verge of losing my job. I do not see a future for myself or for my family,” he writes, and says that he is taking his family with him.
Discussing the incident, Sai Krishna Thota, the Deputy Commissioner of Bhopal, told The Hindustan Times, “When he downloaded the mobile application of the company, he gave access to his contacts and photos. The company accessed the data and made obscene videos and started sending them to all his contacts. The victim had taken a loan of ₹17 lakh from the company that he used to reinvest in the company.”
Another gut-wrenching story is the tragic suicide of a 30-year-old tech enthusiast, Jadveth Aravinth. Hailing from Sangareddy, Telangana, Jadveth initially ventured into this world with a modest investment of ₹200. As he continued to invest, the losses mounted, resulting in a devastating ₹12 lakh shortfall. This sum, painstakingly saved by his parents for his sister’s upcoming wedding in May, 2023, was now lost, plunging the family into immense sorrow and financial distress. Despite pleading with the fraudsters, there was no respite, and it ultimately drove Jadveth who had gotten married just three months before to make a heartbreaking decision. His body was found hanging, according to police.
More Cases Throughout India
Incidents of this nature have been reported across the length and breadth of India. But the obscurity offered by Telegram often acts as a shield, making it challenging for law enforcement to apprehend the perpetrators.
Despite these obstacles, the Chandigarh police managed to trace the scammers and unveiled a network operating from Gurugram, Haryana. In Chandigarh alone, a staggering 181 cases have been registered, with residents collectively losing ₹3.97 crore over the past few months, as revealed by law enforcement. Notably, some of the individuals involved in the scam include chartered accountants, legal advocates, and employees of private banks.
The police in Puducherry took action against a similar operation based in Chennai and successfully apprehended three individuals
Highlighting the issue, S. Bascarane, the Superintendent of Police for Cyber Crime in Puducherry, stated, “Platforms like Telegram and WhatsApp are only intermediaries. They (scamster) stoke your greed and lure you into their snare. We have a lot of unemployment around us, many of us are victims of psychological pressures, and everyone is in need of financial support. They are organised and sophisticated, but whether or not you are cheated is in your hands- only when you are gullible will you be cheated. It is pretty much like fishing. These scamsters bait you with offers that are too good to be true and they develop your trust. And then they get you”.
The police in Puducherry have taken active steps, filing 22 FIRs, freezing 2,800 current accounts, and blocking over 500 mobile numbers in the union territory since the beginning of this year. This suggests that the extent of the scam is far more extensive than initially apparent.
International Hand Uncovers Terror Financing Angle
Police investigations have unveiled a more sinister dimension to the scam – the use of around 20 shell companies for money laundering, with the proceeds being sent to foreign countries for various purposes, including supporting terrorism.
A similar probe by Hyderabad police exposed an international nexus, with connections to China, Dubai, and the terror outfit Hezbollah. In a social media post this July, the Hyderabad police announced their breakthrough in dismantling a gang involved in a Telegram-based investment fraud worth a staggering ₹716 Crores.
The police apprehended a group of nine individuals from different Indian cities, including Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Hyderabad. Shockingly, one of them had connections with Chinese handlers, acting as a link between them. This individual provided access to Indian bank accounts for the Chinese scammers, facilitating remote control from Dubai and China. Police investigations uncovered that he received commissions in USDT or TRON through a Tron coin wallet address. The inquiry further exposed that a portion of the funds had been funneled to the account of the terrorist organization Hezbollah through cryptocurrency wallet transactions. The masterminds behind this sinister operation were traced to Dubai and China, collaborating with Indians who opened accounts and conducted transactions on their behalf in exchange for commissions.
In the Puducherry case, a subsequent investigation revealed that the bank account involved had been accessed from Hong Kong, and within five days, it had witnessed transactions amounting to nearly ₹5 Crores.
“The Modus Operandi has remained the same since the days of the pickpocket- they get the money and it changes hands immediately till it becomes untraceable- and those aiding the crime get commission. The only difference is that now technology is playing a part- what was done traditionally is now done digitally. The 5g tech and easy access of banking institutions has made it easy for the distribution of money,” says S Bascarane.
Telegram: No Platform Is Foolproof
In response to these developments, Telegram maintains that no platform can provide foolproof protection against crime. Speaking to Moneycontrol, a spokesperson for the company said, “Telegram uses sophisticated automated systems to prevent spam that often precedes such scams. While thousands of attempts are stopped each day before they can begin, and these systems are always improving, no platform can completely prevent such scams.”
Telegram uses sophisticated automated systems to prevent spam that often precedes such scams. While thousands of attempts are stopped each day before they can begin, and these systems are always improving, no platform can completely prevent such scams.
Telegram spokesperson to Moneycontrol
The surge in such cases nationwide hasn’t escaped the government’s attention, which has reiterated that platforms can’t evade responsibility entirely. The MoS Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, had earlier been reported to have said that the government was in the process of sending notice to messenger services such as WhatsApp and Telegram over rise in spam calls. “It is a part of the normal scope of activity of MeitY. We ask questions proactively and they will respond… Platforms are responsible to ensure safety and trust. Openness, safety and trust and accountability are the responsibility of the company,” he said.
How to stay safe
So, what should you do if you’ve received such a message on WhatsApp or perhaps even are engaging with them right now?
First and foremost, arm yourself with information. This is where thorough research becomes vital. Is there a company website? Are there any reviews on platforms like Google? What does a LinkedIn search reveal about the company? Are there discussions about the company on community forums such as Quora? And what about the official contact information? Is it active? That and much more… research is a never ending process!
Another important consideration is to maintain a record of your communication. Archive messages or capture screenshots of every interaction. Insist on having everything in writing and never disclose personal information or sensitive details, such as Aadhaar, PAN, or bank account numbers, online to anyone.
Even being suspicious won’t help, you have to assume that you are being told a lie and prove to yourself that it is not a lie. Start with the assumption that you are being scammed until you verify that it is otherwise. This way you will filter out most things from the get go.
Hitesh Dharamdasani, Cyber security expert
Avoid investing in schemes or platforms you aren’t familiar with. If someone recommends a website or platform for investment, ensure the company is listed on the stock market. Verify the certification as a trading platform. Never download any apps claiming affiliation with the platform under any circumstances. Refrain from clicking on links from unknown sources, as they could be phishing links or contain malware.
The most effective approach is to treat any unsolicited calls or messages with skepticism.
Cybersecurity expert Hitesh Dharamdasani highlights this perspective, stating, “Even being suspicious won’t help, you have to assume that you are being told a lie and prove to yourself that it is not a lie. Start with the assumption that you are being scammed until you verify that it is otherwise. This way you will filter out most things from the get go.”
Dharamdasani’s philosophy is particularly applicable to the Telegram scam.
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Authors
Pankaj Menon is a fact-checker based out of Delhi who enjoys ‘digital sleuthing’ and calling out misinformation. He has completed his MA in International Relations from Madras University and has worked with organisations like NDTV, Times Now and Deccan Chronicle online in the past.
Ruby leads editorial, operations and initiatives at Newschecker. In her former avatar at New Delhi Television (NDTV), India’s leading national news network, she was a news anchor, supervising producer and senior output editor. Her over a decade-long career encompasses ground-breaking reportage from conflict zones and reporting on terror incidents, election campaigns, and gender issues. Ruby is an Emmy-nominated producer and has handled both local and international assignments, including the coverage of Arab Spring in 2011, the US Presidential elections in 2016, and ground reportage on the Kashmir issue since 2009.
