In a shocking new twist in the world of cybercrime, a Pune-based contractor was conned out of ₹11 lakh after falling victim to a bizarre online scam dubbed the “Pregnancy Job” fraud. What started as a casual click on a job ad turned into a financial nightmare.
Here’s how the scam unfolded — and what you need to know to stay safe.
🧠 1. The Strange Beginning: A “Pregnant Job” Offer
The victim came across an online advertisement claiming to offer “pregnancy-related home jobs” — supposedly assisting pregnant women through online tasks for hospitals or research agencies.
Curious and convinced by the professional tone of the ad, he decided to apply.
📞 2. The Convincing Setup
Soon after clicking the ad, the man received a call from someone posing as an HR executive of a reputed healthcare organization.
They told him he could earn big money by completing “data entry tasks related to pregnancy cases” from home.
To appear legitimate, the scammers shared fake documents, employee IDs, and even medical project details.
💸 3. The Trap Tightens: “Deposit Fees to Start Work”
Like many job frauds, it started small — he was asked to pay a small registration fee to begin work.
But each time he paid, new “requirements” appeared:
· ₹10,000 for ID verification
· ₹25,000 for “project security”
· ₹1 lakh for “software access”
· and so on...
Over several transactions, he ended up transferring a total of ₹11 lakh to the fraudsters.
🚨 4. The Shocking Realization
When he finally refused to pay more and demanded payment for his “completed work,” all communication stopped.
The phone numbers were disconnected, and the website disappeared.
That’s when he realized he’d been duped in a fake job scheme.
🕵️♂️ 5. police Investigation Underway
The pune cybercrime division has registered a case under IPC Section 420 (cheating) and relevant sections of the Information technology Act.
Authorities have traced some of the bank accounts used in the fraud, which were registered under fake identities.
Investigations are ongoing to track the culprits, believed to be part of a larger cyber network operating across multiple states.
💡 6. Why Scammers Use “Unusual” job Titles
Cybersecurity experts say scammers now deliberately use odd or emotionally charged job titles like “pregnancy care,” “charity work,” or “medical help” to make the offers sound urgent and compassionate.
This psychological trick lowers suspicion and makes victims more willing to trust the fraudsters.
🛡️ 7. red Flags to watch Out For
Here’s how you can protect yourself from falling into similar traps:
· 🚫 Never pay money to secure a job.
· 🔍 Verify company details through official websites or LinkedIn.
· 📞 Avoid communicating via whatsapp or Telegram only.
· 🧾 Check the email domain — real companies don’t use generic Gmail/Yahoo IDs.
· ⚠️ Report suspicious job ads to cybercrime portals like cybercrime.gov.in.
💬 8. Expert Says: “Old Trick, New Disguise”
Cyber experts warn that while the “pregnancy job” angle sounds bizarre, it’s just a new spin on an old employment scam.
By changing the theme, scammers stay ahead of awareness campaigns — ensuring victims let their guard down.
💔 9. The Victim’s Message
The defrauded contractor said:
“I thought I was helping in a genuine project. They were so convincing, I never suspected anything. I just want others to know — don’t trust ads that sound too emotional or too good to be true.”
🧩 10. The Takeaway: Think Before You Click
Online scams are getting more creative — from fake investment sites to bizarre job listings.
Always remember:
💬 “If it sounds strange and promises easy money, it’s probably a scam.”
Stay alert, verify before you trust, and spread awareness to protect others from falling into similar traps.
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