💭 “I invested ₹80 and withdrew ₹3,000 on Day 1!”
Sounds exciting, right? But this is how innocent people get caught in the digital net of fraudsters every single day.
Recently, a sponsored Facebook ad popped up on my feed, claiming that an app named “IQuotes – Trading & Investing” could turn ₹80 into ₹5,000 within a day.
Screenshots showed “real people” withdrawing money instantly. Everything looked convincing — but it was all fake.
Welcome to one of India’s latest micro-investment scams.
💰 The Game of Greed and Hope
Scammers understand human psychology deeply.
They know that everyone wants to make quick money without much effort.
So they design a trap that feels “too small to be dangerous.”
“Only ₹80,” you think — and that’s how the game begins.
🧠 How the IQuotes Scam Works
1. The Hook — A Dream Offer
You see a flashy ad that says:
“Invest ₹80, get ₹3,000 in 2 hours!”
“Limited seats — join 1 lakh successful traders!”
The temptation is hard to resist.
2. The Bait — The Small Deposit
Once you click, you’re redirected to a WhatsApp group or a fake trading site.
They politely guide you to “register” and deposit ₹80 or ₹100 as a trial investment.
It feels harmless, right? That’s exactly how you take the bait.
3. The Illusion — Fake Profits
Within hours, your dashboard shows a profit of ₹2,000 or ₹3,000.
You even get messages like “Congratulations! Your profit is ready to withdraw.”
But it’s all just a digital illusion.
4. The Trap — Withdrawal Charges
When you try to withdraw your “profit,” you’re asked to pay extra:
- ₹300 as a “verification fee”
- ₹600 as “withdrawal tax”
- ₹1,000 as an “unlock charge”
Once you pay, your account is deleted or blocked. The scammers vanish.
5. The Result — Silent Loss
You lose not just ₹80, but also your trust and confidence.
Meanwhile, the fraudsters launch a new app with a new name the next day.
🔍 Why It Looks So Real
Even smart and educated people fall for such traps because of how professionally they’re designed.
- ✅ Modern-looking websites and dashboards
- ✅ Fake testimonials with random names and photos
- ✅ Sponsored Facebook and Instagram ads that look legitimate
- ✅ Financial buzzwords like “trading,” “investment,” “crypto,” and “SEBI approved”
⚠️ Remember — just because an ad appears on Facebook doesn’t mean it’s real.
Meta doesn’t verify every advertiser’s authenticity.
💣 Other Common Scams to Watch Out For
1. Telegram Task Scam
You’re asked to complete “tasks” like liking videos or sharing posts.
After some fake payments, they ask for a ₹500 recharge to unlock more tasks — and disappear.
2. Fake Trading or Crypto Apps
Apps like TradePro, FXWin, BitGlobal, etc., mimic real trading platforms but are unregistered.
They steal your data and vanish after collecting deposits.
3. Loan Approval Scam
Messages like “Your ₹2 lakh loan is approved! Pay ₹999 for processing.”
You pay — but no loan ever comes.
4. Amazon Refund or Customer Care Scams
Scammers posing as Amazon or Flipkart agents ask for OTPs or to install “AnyDesk” for remote access.
Once you comply, your bank account is emptied.
5. Instagram Investment Offers
Fake influencers show screenshots of big profits and promise to double your money.
Once you send funds, they block your account.
🚫 Why You Should Stay Away
- No real investment multiplies money overnight.
Even experienced traders can’t guarantee 10% daily returns. - Legitimate financial services are always SEBI-registered.
If it’s not on SEBI, RBI, or IRDAI’s list — stay away. - Fake apps and websites vanish overnight.
You’ll never find them again once they’ve looted enough people. - If it sounds too good to be true — it’s not true at all.
✅ How to Stay Safe (BeAwareMyPeople Tips)
- 🔍 Always verify before investing:
Search the company/app name + “fraud” or “review” on Google. - 📱 Use only trusted apps:
Groww, Zerodha, Upstox, Paytm Money, Angel One — all are SEBI-approved. - 🚫 Never trust WhatsApp or Telegram trading groups.
No legitimate financial advisor operates through these. - 🧾 Avoid sharing bank details or screenshots.
They can be misused to scam others in your name. - 🧠 Ask before you act.
If you’re unsure, reach out to BeAwareMyPeople for help verifying. - 🛡️ Report scams immediately:
Visit https://cybercrime.gov.in to file a complaint.
💬 A Message from BeAwareMyPeople
I created BeAwareMyPeople with one mission —
to help ordinary people protect themselves in this extraordinary digital world.
Every day, thousands lose money to online scams — not because they’re careless, but because they’re unaware.
A simple pause before clicking can save you from months of regret.
Whenever you see a scheme that promises quick returns, stop and think:
“If it were that easy, why would they need my ₹80?”
That question alone can save you.
🌐 Final Thought
“Scammers don’t just steal your money; they steal your trust.”
Your ₹80 may seem small, but when thousands of people fall for it, scammers walk away with crores.
They use psychology, fake ads, and greed to win your confidence.
Let’s not make them stronger.
Let’s make awareness our weapon.
Stay alert. Stay informed.
And always — Be Aware, My People.