In a recent incident, a 34-year-old tech professional from Pune incurred a loss of Rs 17.6 lakh between December 1 and 6, succumbing to
cyber criminals
who exploited his interest in earning through
online tasks
, such as liking videos. The fraudulent activity commenced on December 1, when the victim came across a part-time job advertisement on social media and subsequently reached out to the scammers.
What is a like and earn scam?
A "like and earn" scam is a fraudulent scheme that lures people into engaging with social media content (usually on platforms like YouTube, Instagram, or TikTok) with the promise of financial rewards in exchange for likes, shares, comments, or subscriptions.
These scams, also known as engagement scams, come in various forms, but they all share the same goal: to exploit your desire for easy money by manipulating your online activity.
Here's how these scams typically work:
Initial Lure: Scammers may spread the word through
fake accounts
, paid advertisements, or direct messages. They offer enticing promises of earning quick cash by simply liking, sharing, or subscribing to specific videos, channels, or profiles. The rewards may seem unrealistic, like earning hundreds of dollars for a few clicks.
Building Trust: To appear legitimate, scammers may create fake websites or online communities with fabricated success stories and testimonials. They might even manipulate engagement metrics on social media platforms to make the content appear popular and trustworthy.
The Catch: However, once you engage with the content, you encounter the scam's true nature. This can involve various tactics:
* Hidden Fees: You might need to pay upfront fees or complete additional tasks before accessing the promised rewards. These fees might be disguised as registration fees, verification costs, or "investment funds."
* Unrealistic Requirements: Even after the initial engagement, the promised rewards might remain unattainable. The scammers may keep setting higher engagement thresholds or introduce complex withdrawal conditions, making it practically impossible to earn any money.
* Data Theft: Engaging with the content or interacting with the scam website could expose your personal information or even infect your device with malware.
Here are some tips to avoid "like and earn" scams:
* Be sceptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
* Never pay any upfront fees to participate in such schemes.
* Do your research on the platform, channel, or profile before engaging.
* Be wary of fake testimonials and inflated engagement metrics.
* Never provide personal information or click on suspicious links.
* Report suspicious activity to the social media platform you're using.
English (US) ·