Trio arrested for fake work-from-home job scam involving YouTube 'likes' and cryptocurrency

Delhi police have apprehended three individuals for orchestrating a fraudulent work-from-home job scheme, offering unsuspecting victims tasks such as increasing 'likes' on YouTube videos. The suspects, who trained in Mumbai, employed deceptive tactics such as opening fictitious bank accounts and procuring multiple SIM cards under a single identity. Authorities estimate their fraudulent transactions amounting to approximately Rs 5 crore within just six days. Let's delve into the details of this elaborate scam.

Unraveling the Deception:
The arrests of Praveen Kumar, Monty, and Gaurav, all residents of Haryana, followed a complaint filed by a 38-year-old woman in Shastri Nagar, Delhi. She recounted receiving a part-time work-from-home offer via WhatsApp, involving tasks such as marking 'likes' on YouTube videos, with the promise of attractive incentives. The perpetrators gradually gained her trust by enticing her with substantial returns on cryptocurrency investments. After transferring a small initial incentive, they convinced her to deposit Rs 3.3 lakh into various bank accounts before disappearing entirely.


Swift Investigation and Arrests:
The cyber police station in North Delhi promptly registered a case and initiated an investigation. Police traced the money trail by analyzing digital footprints and call records, leading them to an address in Narela. A raid conducted at a shop-cum-office, posing as an electronics store, resulted in the arrest of Praveen Kumar and Monty. Further leads led to the apprehension of Gaurav in Sonipat. Among the recovered items were seven mobile phones, three checkbooks, 18 SIM cards, and Rs 2 lakh in cash.

Involvement of a Fourth Accomplice:
During interrogation, the arrested individuals disclosed that they collaborated with a fourth person named Radhey, who specialized in providing bank account kits and SIM cards. Although they had never met him, Radhey paid them Rs 1 lakh for each activated bank account and associated SIM card. The accused revealed that these kits were typically dispatched to vague addresses in Chittorgarh and Udaipur, Rajasthan.

Modus Operandi and Nationwide Scam:
The fraudsters established a fictitious firm and rented an office space to deceive individuals sent for physical verification by the bank. Through this elaborate ruse, they managed to open numerous bank accounts. By altering the address on their Aadhaar cards and obtaining multiple SIM cards using a single identity document, they further obscured their illegal activities.

The apprehension of the three individuals involved in this fraudulent work-from-home job scam sheds light on their elaborate techniques and deceptive practices. Their exploitation of social media platforms and promises of lucrative incentives reveal the extent of their deceit. The ongoing investigation and pursuit of Radhey are crucial to unravelling the full extent of this nationwide scam and bringing all perpetrators to justice.