PRAYAGRAJ, Feb. 7 -- Cybercriminals in Prayagraj, who earlier lured victims with fake stock-market profit schemes and digital arrest scams, have now shifted their targets towards unemployed youth by offering high-paying work-from-home jobs. Over two dozen cases have surfaced in which residents were tricked through WhatsApp and Telegram messages promising easy earnings.

One among the victims, Satyendra Kumar of Ganganagar Rajapur, received a Telegram message offering a lucrative work-from-home role. Believing it to be genuine, he contacted the number provided and was given a series of online tasks. Soon after, he realised he had been duped of Rs.1.14 lakh. He has lodged a complaint at the Cantonment police station.

In another incident, R...