A new wave of online job scams is sweeping across India, with fraudsters running fake “Google Review jobs” schemes and duping unsuspecting victims with promises of easy money. Delhi Police recently arrested a cybercrime gang accused of defrauding a south Delhi resident of over ₹17 lakh in one such scam where the victim was promised lucrative payments for reviewing hotels online. Investigators uncovered connections between multiple complaints and traced Rs 42 lakh to the suspects’ bank accounts, revealing an elaborate racket involving networked mule accounts and international money transfers some even routed through cryptocurrency.
The typical scam starts with messages on WhatsApp or Telegram, advertising part-time roles where individuals can “review and earn” by posting ratings and feedback on Google Maps or businesses. Victims are often lured with demo tasks and small initial payments, which builds trust and encourages them to invest larger amounts to unlock higher commissions or more tasks. The fraudsters use convincing tactics such as fabricated websites, fake earnings proofs, and high-pressure messages urging quick registration. Soon, requests for personal details, bank info, and even upfront deposits follow leaving job seekers at risk of significant financial loss.
Cyber safety experts warn that the promise of earning ₹100 per review or up to ₹5,000 daily should set off alarms, especially if offers come via unverified messaging groups, feature no formal company documentation, and ask for payment to continue working. In reality, legitimate employers never demand money for job access or commissions, nor do they rely exclusively on chat apps for recruitment. Red flags include instant payments followed by demands, urgency pressure, referral schemes, requests for sensitive information, and fake screenshots of others earning huge sums.
As complaints from across the country rise, Google has increased its crackdown on fake reviews and fraudulent business profiles. Using advanced AI technology, the company recently blocked or removed over 240 million bogus reviews and 12 million fake listings, with most actions taken before victims even noticed. Google has also rolled out warnings for suspicious activities and collaborated with authorities in India and abroad to target offenders and improve customer safety.
Authorities urge everyone to verify job offers through official channels, avoid paying any money upfront, and report suspicious activities on the cybercrime.gov.in portal or by calling 1930. With scammers growing increasingly sophisticated, awareness and vigilance is the best defense think twice before signing up for part-time online review jobs.
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National News