Fake job offers on WhatsApp trap Andhra youth, losses climb past Rs 68 lakh

What began as easy pocket money has turned into financial ruin for dozens of young job seekers in Andhra Pradesh. Cybercriminals masquerading as recruiters are targeting unemployed and financially vulnerable youth in Visakhapatnam, Anakapalli, Alluri Sitharama Raju, Vizianagaram, Vijayawada, and surrounding towns through WhatsApp and Telegram.

Police estimate that more than 20 victims have collectively lost over Rs 68 lakh in recent weeks.

The scam unfolds with textbook precision. At first, small rewards of Rs 500 to Rs 5,000 are offered for simple tasks—writing reviews, rating products, translating text. The quick payouts convince victims they are part of a legitimate programme. But once hooked, they are lured into depositing larger sums with the promise of staggering returns that never come.

Kumar (name changed), a youth from Visakhapatnam, said he was drawn in by the early profits. “At first I thought it was genuine. I earned Rs 1,000–Rs 5,000 for simple tasks. But step by step, I was pushed into investing. By the time I realised, I had lost Rs 13 lakh. It has ruined my savings and shaken my confidence,” he said.

In Vijayawada, Rama Rao (name changed), a private employee, narrowly escaped deeper losses. “They credited Rs 500 for one task and then demanded Rs 10,000 to unlock higher earnings. I refused, but two of my friends trusted them and together lost Rs 40,000. Watching them struggle now, I feel I only escaped by chance,” he recalled.

According to Visakhapatnam Commissioner of Police Shankha Brata Bagchi, the fraudsters are becoming more sophisticated. “They use dedicated apps and even fake IPO platforms. Victims are tricked into paying withdrawal fees, which only increases their losses. Alarmingly, only 20–30 per cent of such cases are ever reported,” he warned.

Officials are urging the public to double-check online job offers and immediately report suspicious activity through local police stations or cybercrime portals. Cybersecurity experts caution against sharing sensitive details such as bank account numbers or Aadhaar credentials with unknown contacts.

With fraud rings adopting new tactics, police say awareness and vigilance remain the only effective defence for young job seekers navigating the digital space.