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 A shocking case of cyber fraud has come to light in Karnataka, where Adugodi police have busted a major racket exploiting unsuspecting citizens through fake work-from-home job offers. The fraudsters lured victims by promising easy income from the comfort of their homes and later sold their bank account details to online scammers. The gang is believed to have siphoned off lakhs of rupees using this deceitful method.

The Trap: Work-from-Home Job That Turned into a Nightmare

The case began when Soumiya Bano, a resident of Bengaluru, received a message claiming she could earn money working from home. Enticed by the offer, she responded and was initially rewarded with ₹800 as “profit,” followed by a scheme where she deposited ₹5,000 and received ₹10,000 in return. These small wins built trust.

As her confidence grew, the fraudsters manipulated her into transferring over ₹5 lakh, with the promise of doubling the amount. Later, they claimed her credit score was too low to process the transaction and demanded an additional ₹3.24 lakh. When Soumiya realized she had been conned and her money wasn’t being returned, she filed a complaint with the police.

12 Arrested in Multi-State Cyber Crime Racket

Based on her complaint, the Adugodi police launched an investigation and arrested 12 individuals from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. The suspects were found in possession of:

• 400 SIM cards

• 140 ATM cards

• 17 checkbooks

• 27 mobile phones

• 22 bank passbooks

According to police, these items were being used to open and operate fake bank accounts, which were then sold to online scam networks for various fraudulent purposes.

Mastermind Identified as Sonu

The key player behind the scam has been identified as Sonu, who orchestrated the entire operation. He allegedly recruited daily wage laborers and other vulnerable individuals to open bank accounts in their names. These accounts were then sold to cybercriminals involved in phishing scams, investment frauds, and fake job schemes.

Sonu operated a well-oiled system where he earned a commission of ₹1,500 for every account he helped sell. The racket charged ₹18,000–₹20,000 for a national bank account and ₹3,000 for local bank accounts. These accounts were then used in wide-scale cyber fraud across different states.

Crackdown Expands to Prayagraj

Following Sonu's interrogation, police conducted a follow-up raid in Prayagraj, where 10 more individuals connected to the scam were arrested. The probe has revealed an extensive network of cybercriminals operating across state lines, exploiting digital platforms to trick people into parting with their money.

Online Safety a Growing Concern

This incident highlights the growing threat of cybercrime and the creative methods scammers use to deceive victims. Authorities have urged the public to remain cautious of unsolicited job offers, especially those that sound too good to be true.

How to Stay Safe from Similar Scams:

• Verify Job Offers: Always check the authenticity of work-from-home job offers by contacting the company directly through official channels.

• Never Share Bank Details: Avoid sharing your banking information with strangers or unknown job recruiters.

• Look for Red Flags: High returns on small investments, requests for credit scores, and repeated demands for money are classic signs of fraud.

• Report Suspicious Activity: If you feel you’ve been targeted, report to your nearest cybercrime police station or use the government portal for online fraud.

Conclusion:
This scam is a stark reminder that cybercriminals are constantly evolving their tactics. While the police have made significant progress in dismantling this network, awareness and vigilance are key to preventing such crimes. As digital job platforms continue to grow, so does the responsibility on users to verify and safeguard their personal and financial information.