Delhi Cops Makes Arrest In Work-From-Home Job Scam Involving YouTube Likes And Crypto

Delhi Police have arrested three individuals for orchestrating a work-from-home scam that lured victims with tasks such as increasing likes on YouTube videos and, then, defrauding them of their money.

Per an ET report, the suspects are said to have used deceptive tactics such as opening fictitious bank accounts and procuring multiple SIM cards under a single identity. 

Delhi Police noted that the group’s fraudulent transactions amounted to nearly INR 5 Cr within six days of operations.

The three accused, Praveen Kumar, Monty and Gaurav, were arrested following the complaint filed by a 38-year-old Delhi woman.

Modus Operandi Of The Scam

According to the complainant, she received a part-time work-from-home offer from the accused on WhatsApp, which involved small tasks such as liking certain YouTube videos. The accused lured her by offering incentives and gradually gained her trust by promising good returns on cryptocurrency investments. 

The accused transferred a small incentive once, following which they convinced her to deposit INR 3.3 Lakh into multiple bank accounts before disappearing.

Following an investigation from the North Delhi Cyber Police station, the money and call records were traced to an address in Narela. The police raided the compound and arrested the accused, recovering seven mobile phones, three chequebooks, 18 SIM cards and INR 2 Lakh in cash.

The accused reportedly told the police that they collaborated with a fourth person, Radhey, who provided them with bank account kits and SIM cards. Though the three persons never met this person, Radhey paid them INR 1 Lakh for each activated bank account and associated SIM card.

These kits were typically dispatched to vague addresses in Rajasthan, the accused said. He added that they established a fictitious firm and rented office space to deceive individuals sent by the bank for physical verification. This allowed them to open multiple bank accounts.

The latest scam involves cryptocurrency which has emerged as a popular avenue for fraudsters to lure unsuspecting victims with the promise of substantial gains.

Earlier this year, the Centre informed the Parliament that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) seized proceeds worth INR 936 Cr concerning various cryptocurrency frauds as of January 31, 2023, arresting five people in the process. 

The ED is investigating several cases related to cryptocurrency frauds wherein a few crypto exchanges have also been found involved in money laundering.