Ahmedabad homemaker duped of ₹8.5 lakh in ‘Uniqlo task’ Telegram scam

A 37-year-old homemaker from Vejalpur in Ahmedabad has alleged that she was cheated of ₹8.50 lakh by cyber fraudsters who lured her into a fake online marketing and 'task-based' investment scheme using Telegram links and a bogus website purportedly associated with a Japanese clothing brand.

An FIR has been registered at the Cyber Crime Police Station based on a complaint filed by Hetalben Parmar.

According to the complaint, on September 21, the victim received a message from an unknown woman identifying herself as 'Sreelakshmi'. The caller claimed to be affiliated with 'Uniqlo', describing it as a Japanese clothing marketing company seeking individuals to 'boost' online sales in return for commissions and discounts.

The complainant was sent a website link along with an invitation code. She was subsequently added to multiple Telegram groups, including links titled 'FINANCE UNIQLO' and 'S-81 83 TEAM UNIQLO', where she was assigned daily online 'tasks' involving placing orders and making advance payments.

Police said the accused initially asked her to deposit a nominal amount of ₹200, which was followed by small returns credited to her account to build trust. She was shown screenshots of products and account dashboards reflecting bonuses and commissions. After completing certain tasks, small amounts were transferred back to her bank account, reinforcing the legitimacy of the scheme.

Encouraged by the initial returns, she began transferring larger sums between October 1 and 7, from her accounts to multiple bank accounts provided by the accused.

Six major transactions, including ₹10,000 and ₹40,338 on October 1, ₹50,000 on October 2, ₹2.50 lakh on October 4, ₹2 lakh on October 7, and ₹3 lakh on the same day, amounting to a total loss of ₹8.50 lakh.

The complainant stated that after the larger payments were made, the accused stopped responding, and the promised returns were not credited. Realising that she had been defrauded, she contacted the national cybercrime helpline 1930 on February 13, and subsequently lodged a formal complaint.

Police have registered a case of cheating, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy against the unidentified accused. Screenshots of Telegram chats, website details and bank transaction records have been submitted as evidence.

Officials said efforts are under way to trace the bank account holders who received the funds and to identify the persons operating the Telegram groups and the fraudulent website.