Instagram iPhone scam costs man Rs 29 lakh; here's how to avoid online scams

Have you ever bought electronic devices or dresses through Instagram? Watching influencer posts and advertising a particular brand may intrigue you to buy the product and many times you do so without checking their user profile. In the recent Instagram scam incident, a Delhi man Vikas Katiyar was allegedly duped of Rs 29 lakh by unidentified people on the pretext of selling iPhones on Instagram.

The Delhi Police has filed a case of fraud against the unidentified persons after Katiyar lodged a complaint.
Katiyar, a resident of Ghitorni, Delhi, told police that he was scrolling on Insta and found iPhone sales at discounted rates and was tempted to buy one.


The complainant claimed, "After checking the page and to make sure that the page is genuine, he also contacted the old buyers from one another Instagram page and they confirmed that the page is genuine, they have received the phones without any issue and he can buy from there. Later on February 6, 2023, Katiyar contacted one mobile number for purchasing an iPhone."

The complainant claimed that they asked to pay 30 per cent of the phone cost in advance which was Rs 28000.

After that, this their team contacted him from different mobile numbers demanding more money in the name of customs holding clearance and other tax issues. The victim in his complaint claimed that in total he transferred Rs 28,69,850 in multiple transactions in many accounts thinking that everything will be sorted, and he will get the money back with his mobile.

Like this, many scams on Instagram happen when people create fake accounts or hack into existing Instagram accounts you've followed. The scammers use these fake or compromised accounts to trick you into giving them money or personal information. Instagram has notified its user that the company will never send users direct messages about their account in the Instagram app. It also notifies users about potential phishing and spam through emails within the last 14 days.

According to experts, these are some things that you should watch out to avoid online scam:

* People asking you for money who you don’t know in person.
* People asking you to send them money or gift cards to receive a loan, prize or other winnings.
* Anyone asking you to pay a fee in order to apply for a job.
* Accounts representing large companies, organizations or public figures that are not verified.
* People claiming to be from Instagram security asking you to provide account information (like your username or password), or offering you account verification services.
* People asking you to move your conversation off Instagram to a less public or less secure setting, such as a separate email.
* People claiming to have a friend or relative in an emergency.
* People who misrepresent where they are located.
* Messages that appear to come from a friend or a company you know that ask you to click on a suspicious link.
* Accounts that have a brief history on Instagram.
* People or accounts asking you to claim a prize and the accounts that offer items at an extreme discount, because there are chances that you get duped product