Fraudster Arrested in Hyderabad for Part-Time Job & Investment Scam, Defrauds Victim of ₹25 Lakh

(Judicial Quest News Network)

Hyderabad, 12th February 2025: In a major breakthrough, the Cyber Crime Police of Hyderabad have successfully apprehended Cheruku Naveen, a 33-year-old resident of Telangana, for his involvement in a widespread part-time job and investment fraud. Naveen is implicated in 87 cases across India, with 14 cases specifically in Telangana. Authorities seized one mobile phone from the accused during his arrest.

Details of the Fraud:

The victim, a 41-year-old private employee from Hyderabad, became the target of an online scam after receiving a message on WhatsApp offering a part-time job involving Google Map reviews. The message appeared legitimate, and the victim, eager for a side income, decided to inquire further.

The fraudster, posing as a legitimate recruiter, provided two Google Maps links, instructing the victim to rate them and send back screenshots. After completing the task, the scammer offered a Telegram ID and requested the victim’s bank account details. The victim received a small deposit in his account, convincing him of the scheme’s authenticity.

Later, the fraudster directed the victim to register on a fraudulent investment website (https://dlu6ewr0.top), claiming the victim could earn substantial returns through quick investments. Trusting the fraudulent advisor, the victim followed the instructions, made several transfers to bank accounts and UPI IDs shared by the scammer, and started trading as per their guidance.

After making an initial investment, the victim tried to withdraw his funds but was blocked by the fraudster. Instead, the fraudster demanded additional payments for taxes and various charges. Despite paying these fees, the victim was asked to send more money to complete the withdrawal process. Eventually, the victim lost a total of ₹25,36,000 (₹25.36 Lakhs) over multiple transactions, unable to recover his funds.

Modus Operandi of the Fraudsters:

The accused’s method of operation includes:

1. Approaching victims via social media platforms like WhatsApp, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook.
2. Offering fake part-time job opportunities that involve small tasks, with the lure of easy money after depositing small amounts into the victim’s account.
3. Once the victim performs the task, the scammer credits a small amount to the victim’s account to gain their trust.
4. The fraudster introduces an investment scheme that promises huge returns and convinces the victim to invest more.
5. The scammer eventually blocks the victim’s ability to withdraw funds, requesting more money for taxes and fake charges.

Investigation and Arrest:

The Cyber Crime Police team, led by Inspector K. Satish Reddy, consisting of SI Suresh, PC Rajesh, PC Mallesham, and PC Shivashankar, successfully cracked the case. Their diligent efforts led to the identification and arrest of Cheruku Naveen.

Public Advisory:

Authorities are urging the public to exercise extreme caution when dealing with online job offers, investment schemes, and work-from-home opportunities. Some red flags to watch for include:

• Offers involving Google Map ratings, task completion, or investment schemes with promises of high returns.
• Requests for personal or financial details via social media platforms such as Telegram, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Facebook.
• Websites and applications claiming to offer lucrative profits but lacking endorsement from regulatory bodies like SEBI.

The public is advised to verify the legitimacy of any online job or investment offer before sharing any personal information or making financial transactions.

Immediate Help for Victims:

If you believe you have fallen victim to cybercrime, you can immediately seek assistance by dialing 1930 or visiting cybercrime.gov.in.