Bhopal police warn against Watch Earn scams:Crime Branch urges citizens to avoid fake online jobs and cyber fraud traps

In view of the increasing number of cybercrime cases, the Bhopal Crime Branch has issued an advisory urging citizens to beware of “watch-and-earn” online scams, in which fraudsters lure people with promises of easy money for completing simple internet-based tasks from home. According to the advisory, scammers initially offer payments for activities such as watching videos, liking posts, or rating apps and online content. However, these schemes often evolve into financial frauds that result in significant monetary losses for victims. Scammers contact victims through messaging apps The Crime Branch said fraudsters typically approach people through messaging platforms such as WhatsApp and Telegram, claiming they can earn thousands of rupees daily by spending only a few minutes on online assignments. To gain trust, scammers may initially pay small amounts ranging from ₹50 to ₹200, and in some cases even up to ₹10,000, convincing victims that the scheme is genuine. Registration fees and premium tasks used to extract money Police said that after making initial payments, fraudsters tempt victims with promises of higher earnings and ask them to pay registration fees or invest money to access premium tasks. Many people, hoping for larger profits, transfer amounts ranging from thousands to lakhs of rupees. Once the payments are made, the scammers cut off communication, leaving victims unable to recover their money. Authorities urge citizens to exercise caution The Crime Branch has advised the public not to trust unknown links, unsolicited messages, or online job offers without verification. Officials stressed that any online opportunity requiring an upfront payment should be treated as a potential scam. Citizens have also been urged never to share banking details, one-time passwords (OTPs), passwords, or other personal information with unknown individuals. The advisory further recommends blocking and reporting suspicious messages immediately and engaging only with trusted and authorised online platforms. Cyber helplines available for complaints People who fall victim to cyber fraud or come across suspicious online activities have been advised to report the matter through the Bhopal Cyber Helpline (9479990636) or the National Cyber Helpline (1930). Complaints can also be submitted online through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in.