Telegram Prepaid Task Scam Exposed [Pics INSIDE]

Telegram Prepaid Task Scam: In recent years, India has become a hub for scam-related activities, especially with the emergence of digital technologies. One of the latest cyber scams that is trending in the country is the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam. This scam has affected different people with varying backgrounds, including students, housewives, and job seekers.

These scammers are getting better and better at their tactics, which has made it challenging for individuals to know when they are about to fall prey. This blog post seeks to provide an in-depth understanding of the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam in India.

This scam is happening in India since November 2022, as per the reports. Also, this is not from one, there are many groups involving in this scam. Let's know the short details first and get into deep.

What is the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam?

The Telegram Prepaid Task Scam is a type of online scam that targets unsuspecting people on Telegram, a messaging application. The scammers offer quick and easy ways to make money by completing simple tasks.

They entice their victims to pay a certain amount of money upfront, promising high returns on their investment. The tasks usually involve liking YouTube videos, Subscribing YouTube Channels or content on different social media platforms.

After making the payment, the victims end up not being paid or receiving any form of compensation from the scammers.

Once a person joins the group, they are welcomed by many “winners” who claim to have received huge payouts from the scammers. The scammers then proceed to offer tasks for the group members to complete, promising easy money at the end of the day.

How to Identify Telegram Prepaid Task Scam?

The Telegram Prepaid Task Scam targets a broad audience, including students, job seekers, and housewives. Not only these people, they also target old-age people, good salary paid employees and retiered government employees.

The scammers understand that these groups are usually in need of money and are thus vulnerable to scams. They also target people who are looking for quick ways to make money without putting in any effort. People who are not Internet-savvy and those who are new to online money-making opportunities are also often targeted.

Some of the notable indicators that a person may be targeted include:

• Receiving numerous invites to join Telegram groups promising quick money.
• Receiving messages from strangers who invite you to join a money-making scheme.
• Feeling the pressure or urgency to act fast or make an immediate payment.

Telegram Perpaid Task Job Contact Number

A message arrives on your WhatsApp from someone claiming to be an employee of ‘Youtube Digital marketing' or ‘LinkedIn Job Giver' or “Career Global' or any other names.

Most of these scam messages will come to you from following like countries:

• +251 (Ethiopia),
• +60 (Malaysia),
• + 62 (Indonesia),
• +254 (Kenya),
• +84 (Vietnam),
• +255 (Tanzania),
• +244 (Angola),
• +223 (Mali) and others.

NOTE: Most are the numbers are from Africa!!!

They explain that their company collaborates with YouTube businesses and other social media platforms, who are eager to invest in boosting their visibility.

As a result, their company is looking to hire numerous individuals to engage with content by liking and following these channels or Instagram pages.

WhatsApp Message From Unknow Girl Name

You will get message like “Good day! My name is Ashanti, may I take a few minutes of your time?”

After your reply, they will send like;

“Thanks for your reply. I'm Ms. Ashanti from the Youtube. I am contacting you regarding a job opportunity, Do you want an extra income? The job is very simple it won't take much time and there's no requirements and payment needed.”

Then,

“This is a part time job that doesn’t affect your other job, The job is very simple, All you have to do is like the YouTube videos and send screenshots, and you will be paid. We pay 50 rupees for each task and you can earn up to 2500-39999 rupees a day by liking videos in your free time.”

“In partnership with the vloggers we are giving salary to people who are willing to like their video. Are you interested?”

If you send “Yes”, then you will receive a message with the next procedure. That is;

“Okay great. To show you how it work i will give you 3 task and each task you can earn 50rs. the first 2 task is just Video liking. You dont need to watch the video to save your precious time. After you liked the 2 youtube videos just take a sceenshot and send it to me and we will proceed to the 3rd task. Shall we proceed now?”

Now, they will share YouTube video links to like, and ask you to capture a screenshot, and send it back via WhatsApp to them.

After you successfully completed two tasks, you will receive message:

“Good job, I think you already know how we work.”

Now the task 3 is you need to send the code and your whatsapp number to someone on Telegram to claim your salary. They will share the Telegram Id and Code.

“You need to send the code and your whatsapp number to receptionist in telegram to claim your salary. Search the telegram link or username and send to her the code and whatsapp number.”

“When you are done send to me the screenshot so i will verify you to her and prioritize your salary.”

Telegram YouTube/Instagram Like Tasks

Now you need to join on Telegram channel, then they ask you Promo Code.

After that they ask you some details like Name, Age, Gender, Work, Phone Number, and City.

Then they will assign another YouTube task. This time, they will send you the keyword to search on YouTube and play the video to like it. After you done this, you need to send the screenshot to claim your money to your bank.

Now they will ask you about your bank details for sending you 150 rupees.

Message you like “Send me your bank account number and name row, and the finance department will pay you. Name, Bank Account, Bank Name, and IFSC Code.”

You will get Rs. 150 within next 20 to 30 minutes after you give your bank details.

Join Telegram Group to Earn More

The unknown named person will ask you to join a group to do tasks. Before that, the person will assign few more tasks personally on the day you will join.

“Since you are a new employee, today I will take you through 20 tasks. After you are familiar with the work flow, you can complete the group tasks tomorrow and follow my instructions to settle the wages. 

Note: You must complete the tasks in the prescribed order. Not done, or quit. You will not be paid for other tasks you perform. Missions are limited so you have to be quick to complete your missions. If you agree with our terms, please reply “Ready” and you can move on to the next task!”

You will get another Rs. 150 after you completed three consecutive YouTube Video Liking tasks.

YouTube Video Like, Instagram Follow, Google Map Review, Etc.,

As already said, there are multiple teams working behind this scam. Each group have their unique method, but all their motive is one, it is steal your hard earn money!

Following tasks are given to you based on the team contacted you for the job to earn money;

• Follow on Instagram Pages.
• Like or Subscribe YouTube Vidos or Channels.
• Review Hotels on Google Map.
• Like Brands on facebook Page.
• Rate a Movie on IMDb.

After three consecutive tasks, you will earn Rs. 210 again (what's yours?, the amount varies based on scam group). Then you will get message for Prepaid Task.

Here, we look into the YouTube Video Like Scams;

TASK 1: YouTube Video Like “Open YouTube, search for Relaxation Film, watch the video, click like, then send me a screenshot. After completing the task, mark it on the screenshot, for example, complete task 1, mark M1″

TASK 2: YouTube Video Like

TASK 3: YouTube Video Like

TASK 4: The Prepaid Task  (The SCAM is Here!!!)

Telegram Prepaid Merchant Task, Earn upto Rs. 2,60,000

They tell you that this welfare task is designed to enhance collaboration and facilitate a smoother partnership with you. In the short term, higher commission opportunities will be provided, along with personalized one-on-one mentorship services. This tailored assistance ensures your commission can be settled efficiently within a mere ten minutes.

They will send you a instruction about the prepaid task with the following note “The commission for each task is 50 rupees, if you skip the prepaid task it will become 25. Skipping the twice will only get 5 commission.”

Also, they will make you their Full time employee if you done all their tasks.

“Complete a limited number of prepaid assignments to become a full-time employee of the company. (Complete 3 prepaid tasks)”

EXTRA BONUS: As per their instruction, if you complete 3 tasks, you will receive an additional bonus of Rs 299. If you complete 20 tasks and you will get extra bonus of Rs. 39,999.

In the Task 4, they ask you to pay Rs. 1000 or Rs. 500 or Rs. 2000 as you are new arrival, to get cashback Rs. 1,300, Rs. 650 or Rs. 2800.

At first, individuals tend to trust these group, as messages appear in task groups and the promise of receiving their money back, along with additional commission, is enticing. If a student or unemployed person invests, they often don't see any returns; however, if an employed individual invests, the criminals return their money with the promised commission, thereby establishing trust among the victims.

TASK 5: YouTube Video Like

TASK 6: YouTube Video Like

TASK 7: YouTube Video Like

TASK 8: Again, Prepaid Task / Prepaid Merchant Task (This time, it is BIGGG SCAM!!)

You can't invest 500 or 1000 or 2000 again, you must invest more than that. It starts with 3000 or 5000, but ends with 3,00,000 or more than that…!

They are luring unsuspecting individuals by sending fake messages, promising high returns on their investments.

While some recognize the scam and avoid participating, but many fall prey to the enticing offers and invest large sums of money.

The scammers usually begin by offering a small task with high commission rates, enticing victims to trust them and subsequently invest more significant amounts.

However, once the victims are deeply invested, the scammers exploit their trust and refuse to return the invested money.

They then proceed to delete their Telegram accounts and remove the victim from the task group, effectively cutting off all communication.

These malicious individuals add numerous people to the task group daily, accumulating thousands or even lakhs through these fraudulent tasks.

By initially offering a seemingly small reward of 500-1000 rupees, they successfully execute their scams and continue to target innocent individuals.

Telegram Prepaid Task Scam Recovery

The possibility of recovering money from the scammers is very low, as they use multiple accounts and methods to hide their identity and location.

The victims often do not have enough evidence or information to trace the scammers or file a complaint.

The best way to avoid falling for such scams is to be aware and cautious of any messages or offers that seem too good to be true, and never share personal or financial details with strangers online.

Few Victims List

Some of the victims in the WhatsApp and Telegram prepaid tasks scam in India are:

• Kanwaljeet Singh, a travel agency owner from Sector 38, Chandigarh, who lost Rs 39.53 lakh to the scammers.
• A woman from Wagholi, Pune, who was cheated of Rs 45.40 lakh by the fraudsters who offered her a job of rating and reviewing movies online.
• Nilesh Mohanlal Bangrecha, a mechanical engineer from Wagholi, Pune, who was scammed out of Rs 8.56 lakh by four individuals who offered him part-time online work on Telegram.
• A woman from Khadak, Pune, who works as a software developer and lost Rs 7.6 lakh to the scammers who offered her a job of reviewing restaurants.
• Munny Sony, a resident of Mundian Kalan in Ludhiana, who paid Rs 2.42 lakh to two people from Mumbai and Bengaluru for a part-time job of subscribing to YouTube channels.
• A man, who lost RM1,000 to the scammers who asked him to invest in prepaid tasks with high returns.
• A woman from Hyderabad, who lost Rs 10.15 lakh to the scammers who offered her a work-from-home job of filling forms and clicking links.
• Several people from Mysuru, who lost money ranging from Rs 10,000 to Rs 1.5 lakh to the scammers who offered them prepaid online tasks on Telegram.

These are some of the examples of how cybercriminals are exploiting the vulnerability and desperation of people who are looking for easy and quick ways to earn money online. The scammers use various tactics to lure the victims into their trap, such as sending them fake messages, creating fake groups, paying them small amounts initially, and promising them huge returns later. They also use shell companies and multiple bank accounts to transfer the money and evade detection.

The police have warned the public to be vigilant and cautious when they receive any unsolicited messages or offers on social media platforms or messaging apps. They have advised people to verify the source and credibility of the messages, check the identity and reputation of the task providers, and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. They have also urged people not to share their personal or financial information with anyone online or pay any money for any tasks without proper verification.

Leave your comment in the comment section if you are one! Make awareness by sharing this article in your social media and WhatsApp.

Unfortunately, many individuals have become victims of this scam and have ended up paying even more money than initially required.

When it comes to scams, one of the most common traps that victims fall into is paying more money than initially required. It's a frustrating situation that can leave individuals feeling deceived and taken advantage of. Let's take a closer look at how this trap works and why so many people end up falling for it.

The Trap Unveiled: How Victims Get Caught

Scammers are masters at manipulation, and they know exactly how to exploit people's vulnerabilities. Here's how victims often find themselves trapped into paying more money:

1. False Promises: Scammers entice victims with attractive offers or promises of great deals. They create a sense of urgency, making victims believe they must act quickly to secure the opportunity.

2. Fear Tactics: Scammers use fear to their advantage, making victims believe that failure to comply with their demands will result in severe consequences. This fear can cloud judgment and push victims to pay more money to avoid perceived harm.

3. Pressure and Manipulation: Scammers employ high-pressure tactics, such as relentless phone calls, threats, or emotional manipulation, to wear down victims and make them more susceptible to paying additional funds.

The Costly Consequences: Why Victims End Up Paying More

Unfortunately, many individuals have become victims of this scam and have ended up paying even more money than initially required. Here are some reasons why victims fall into this trap:

• Desperation: Scammers often target individuals who are desperate for a solution or in urgent need of assistance. In these vulnerable moments, victims may be willing to do whatever it takes to resolve their situation, even if it means paying more money.

• Lack of Information: Victims may not have enough knowledge or understanding about the product or service they are dealing with. This lack of information leaves them susceptible to the scammers' deceptive tactics and makes it easier for the scammers to convince them to pay extra.

• Emotional Manipulation: Scammers are skilled at manipulating victims' emotions. They exploit their fears, hopes, and desires, making it difficult for victims to think rationally and resist paying more money.

• Limited Options: In some cases, victims may feel like they have no other choice but to pay the additional fees. Scammers may create a sense of urgency or convince victims that there are no alternatives available, leaving them with no other option but to comply.

What to Do If You Become a Victim of the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam

If you find yourself falling victim to the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam, it's crucial to take immediate action to protect yourself and minimize any potential damage. Here are the steps you should follow:

1. Stop all communication: Once you realize you have been scammed, immediately cease all contact with the scammer. Do not respond to any further messages or requests.

2. Document the evidence: Take screenshots or save any conversations, emails, or other evidence related to the scam. This documentation will be helpful when reporting the incident to the authorities.

3. Report the scam: Contact your local law enforcement agency and provide them with all the evidence you have gathered. They will guide you on the necessary steps to take and may open an investigation into the scam.

4. Inform your bank or financial institution: If you have shared any banking or credit card information with the scammer, contact your bank or financial institution immediately. They can help you secure your accounts and prevent any unauthorized transactions.

5. Change your passwords: As an extra precaution, change the passwords for all your online accounts, including email, social media, and financial platforms. Use strong, unique passwords to enhance your security.

6. Educate yourself: Learn about common scams and how to identify them to avoid falling victim in the future. Stay informed about the latest scamming techniques and share this knowledge with your friends and family.

7. Warn others: Spread awareness about the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam by sharing your experience on social media platforms, online forums, or community groups. This can help others recognize and avoid similar scams.

8. Monitor your accounts: Regularly review your bank statements, credit reports, and online accounts for any suspicious activity. Report any unauthorized transactions or signs of identity theft immediately.

9. Consider professional help: If you feel overwhelmed or need further assistance, consider seeking advice from a professional, such as a lawyer or a financial advisor. They can provide guidance tailored to your specific situation.

Remember, it's essential to act swiftly when dealing with scams to minimize the potential damage. By following these steps, you can protect yourself and help prevent others from falling victim to the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam. Stay vigilant and always prioritize your online safety.

Two Important Quora Questions

[What is the Telegram prepaid task scam and how can one avoid it?] This question has 12 answers from different users who share their experiences and advice on how to avoid falling for this scam. Two answers here:

Rajesh Kumar, a former Software Engineer at Infosys, says: “The Telegram prepaid task scam is a type of online fraud where scammers lure people into paying money for doing simple online tasks that are actually fake. The scammers use Telegram, a messaging app, to contact people and offer them part-time jobs that pay Rs 50 to Rs 100 per task. The tasks involve clicking on links, filling forms, downloading apps, etc. The scammers also send small amounts of money to the victims’ accounts to gain their trust and make them believe that they are getting paid for their work. However, after completing a few tasks, the victims are asked to pay a registration fee or a security deposit to continue working. The scammers then ask for more money for different tasks and keep increasing the amount until the victims realize that they have been cheated. The scammers also block the victims from contacting them or withdrawing their money. To avoid this scam, one should never pay money to anyone for doing online tasks. One should also verify the authenticity of the job offer and the company before joining any online work. One should also be careful about sharing their personal and bank details with strangers on Telegram or any other platform.”

Ankit Sharma, a Cybersecurity Expert at Cyberops Labs, says: “The Telegram prepaid task scam is a sophisticated cybercrime that exploits people’s greed and desperation for money. The scammers use Telegram channels to post fake part-time jobs that claim to pay Rs 50 to Rs 100 per task. The tasks are very easy and involve clicking on links, filling forms, downloading apps, etc. The scammers also transfer some money to the victims’ accounts to make them trust them and continue working. However, after completing a few tasks, the victims are asked to pay a registration fee or a security deposit to access more tasks. The scammers then ask for more money for different tasks and keep increasing the amount until the victims run out of money or realize that they have been scammed. The scammers also block the victims from contacting them or withdrawing their money. To avoid this scam, one should always be skeptical of any job offer that sounds too good to be true. One should also check the credibility of the company and the job before joining any online work. One should also protect their personal and bank details from anyone on Telegram or any other platform.”

[How can I recover my money from a Telegram prepaid task scam?] This question has 8 answers from different users who share their suggestions and experiences on how to recover their money from this scam. Some of the answers are:

Rajat Jain, a Lawyer at Delhi High Court, says: “If you have been a victim of a Telegram prepaid task scam, you can try to recover your money by taking legal action against the scammers. You can file a complaint with your local police station or cyber cell and provide them with all the details of the scam, such as the names, phone numbers, bank accounts, Telegram groups, etc., of the scammers. You can also provide them with any evidence that you have, such as screenshots, messages, transactions, etc., of the scam. The police will investigate your case and try to trace and arrest the scammers and recover your money. However, this process may take time and may not guarantee success as the scammers may use fake identities and locations to evade detection.”

Sneha Gupta, a Financial Advisor at HDFC Bank, says: “If you have been a victim of a Telegram prepaid task scam, you can try to recover your money by contacting your bank and requesting them to reverse the transactions that you have made to the scammers. You can explain to them the situation and provide them with any proof that you have, such as screenshots, messages, transactions, etc., of the scam. The bank will verify your claim and try to reverse the transactions and refund your money. However, this process may depend on the type and mode of transactions that you have made and may not be possible in all cases.”

Consumer Complaints Court Story

One such victim is Rajesh, who shared his story on Consumer Complaints Court. He said that he joined a Telegram group called Prepaid Task where he was offered to earn Rs 50 per task. He completed 10 tasks and received Rs 500 in his account. He then paid Rs 500 as a registration fee to access more tasks. He completed another 10 tasks and received Rs 1000 in his account. He then paid Rs 1000 as a security deposit to access more tasks. He completed another 10 tasks and received Rs 1500 in his account. He then paid Rs 1500 as a verification fee to access more tasks. He completed another 10 tasks and received Rs 2000 in his account. He then paid Rs 2000 as a withdrawal fee to withdraw his money. However, he did not receive any money in his account and realized that he had been scammed. He tried to contact the scammers but they blocked him from the group and deleted the channel.

Rajesh is not the only victim of this scam. Many other people have reported similar experiences on various online platforms, such as Quora, Reddit, Twitter, etc. Some of them have lost thousands of rupees to this scam. The scammers use different names and numbers to create different Telegram groups and channels and target different people. They also change their modus operandi and ask for different amounts of money for different tasks.

To avoid falling for this scam, one should be aware of the following signs:

• The job offer is unsolicited or comes from an unknown source.
• The job offer is too good to be true or promises high income for low effort.
• The job offer asks for money upfront or for any reason.
• The job offer does not provide any details about the company or the employer.
• The job offer does not have any terms and conditions or contract.
• The job offer does not have any customer support or feedback system.

One should also do some research on the company and the job before joining any online work. One should also verify the authenticity of the payment system and the transaction history. One should also be careful about sharing their personal and bank details with anyone on Telegram or any other platform.

If one has been a victim of this scam, one should report it to the police or the cyber cell and provide them with all the information and evidence of the scam. One should also contact their bank and request them to reverse the transactions if possible. One should also expose the scammers and warn others about them on social media and online forums.

Twitter Story

There are more stories about this scam on social media and other medium. Here, it is one from the X (formaly Twitter) handle, @ChekrishnaCk

Fraud Alert ⚠️
I got a MSG from WhatsApp international number and they told they will pay 50 per task

I followed thier procedure and completed the tasks of liking three Instagram accounts. They asked me to follow a Telegram account name #Geetika And they actually paid me 150 rs pic.twitter.com/pobpKrKda2

— 👑Che_ಕೃಷ್ಣ🇮🇳💛❤️ (@ChekrishnaCk) April 7, 2023

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Telegram Prepaid Task Scam has become a growing concern in India's digital landscape. Scammers often use different tactics to lure their victims, including promising quick money and easy tasks. Understanding how the scam works and learning to spot red flags is crucial for protecting yourself from being targeted. Finally, victims should take immediate action and seek help from relevant authorities, such as their bank and the police, if they have fallen victim to this scam. Remember, if it looks too good to be true, it usually is!

FAQs