Recently, a Bengaluru techie lost ₹4.5 lakh from a fake WhatsApp message. The scammer pretended to be his boss, asking him to buy gift cards as a Diwali gift for some clients.

The techie bought and shared the codes, realizing it was a scam only after mentioning it to HR. However, this is not even among the most common tactics used by these scammers.

There are more popular scams online including the Trading scam in which Indians have lost more than ₹1,420 crore. The scammers lure victims with "free trading tips" on social media, pretending to be well-known stock experts.

Beware Hyderabadis! Avoid These 3 Foods

They're pushed to download trading apps that show fake profits in digital wallets that they can withdraw by depositing a certain amount. None of the apps are registered with SEBI but victims don't do their research in the hope of getting some fast money.

Another popular scam is the Digital arrest scam where scammers pose as police officers and file fake cases against people. They will have video calls with the victims and pressure them to "clear" their names by paying up.

Air India's New Non-Stop Flights to Dallas, LA!

The task-based investment scam is another common trick where victims get WhatsApp messages from foreign numbers, offering cash for small "tasks" like leaving five-star reviews. After a few small payouts, scammers ask for larger deposits to earn bigger returns which they never get.

Another common scam targeted at the youth is the romance/dating scam. Scammers often pose as foreign women on dating apps, build trust with men, and then ask for money from their male "partners."

Data shows that nearly half of these scams are run by scammers based in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia. They use social media, fake job offers, and emotional tricks to target Indians.

Beware of these "too good to be good scenarios" especially this festive season. Always tread carefully when engaging with people online.