Techie, 2 others lose Rs 26 lakh to WFH scamsters in Bengaluru

BENGALURU: Three people, including a software engineer, allegedly lost Rs 26 lakh to cybercriminals who promised huge profits by working from home. Two of the three scamsters were women.
The gang cheated a 32-year-old software engineer of Rs 15 lakh on April 1. Mukund (name changed) who lives near KR Puram told police he received a message on Telegram app from a stranger who identified herself as Anjali. The suspect convinced Mukund he could work from home and make money in a short period.
Mukund agreed and Anjali asked him to pay Rs 10,000 as registration fee. Later, one Sonal Patel asked him to invest and promised 'instant profit'. Mukund transferred Rs 15 lakh in multiple transactions, but didn't get any money in return.
A private firm employee, 45, lost Rs 8.5 lakh to a woman, who claimed to be an HR manager with a company. Manoj (name changed) of KR Puram told police he met a woman on Telegram in March first week. She asked him to pay registration and other fees and he transferred over Rs 8.5 lakh in a few days. When he didn't get an offer letter or a job, Manoj realised he was cheated.
In the third case, a 32-year-old homemaker lost Rs 3 lakh to scamsters on April 16. She told cops a person contacted her on Telegram and promised work from home. She transferred Rs 3,14,958 to the miscreant but didn't get a job.