The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has blocked over 100 websites involved in organised investment and task-based part-time job frauds under the Information Technology Act, 2000.
The Ministry also emphasises citizen participation, urging prompt reporting of fraudulent phone numbers and social media handles to the National Cyber Reporting Portal (NCRP) at www.cybercrime.gov.in.
The I4C, designed to tackle cybercrime comprehensively, identified and recommended the blocking of websites involved in economic crimes. Operated by overseas actors, these platforms exploited digital advertising, chat messengers, and mule accounts.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Home Affairs, investigations revealed that these websites facilitated task-based and organised illegal investment frauds, with proceeds laundered out of India through various channels, including card networks, cryptocurrency, overseas ATM withdrawals, and international fintech companies.
The frauds are said to have primarily targeted retirees, women, and unemployed youth through strategic digital advertisements on platforms like Google and Meta. Using keywords like "Ghar baithe job" in multiple languages, fraudsters lured victims into performing tasks on WhatsApp and Telegram, gradually escalating to financial investments. Once victims deposited larger sums, fraudsters froze the accounts, resulting in substantial losses.
As a precautionary measure, citizens are advised to exercise due diligence before engaging in high-commission online schemes and to refrain from financial transactions with unknown individuals on messaging platforms. Verification of UPI app receivers is emphasised, as random individuals may be linked to fraudulent schemes.
"Citizens should refrain from doing transactions with unknown accounts, as these could be involved in money laundering and even terror financing and lead to blocking of accounts by police and other legal action," the statement added.
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