Pakistanis scammed as popular online earning app abruptly vanishes

ISLAMABAD: In a distressing incident of online deception, a widely-used mobile application for earning money online, has vanished, leaving residents of the twin cities facing substantial financial losses.

The app, which initially gained the trust of investors by promising significant returns within a short timeframe, abruptly ceased operations, prompting affected individuals to reach out to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Cybercrime Cell.

Concerns have been raised as reports suggest that the administrator of the app may have fled to Dubai. This development has particularly alarmed victims who were enticed by the prospect of effortless profits from the comfort of their homes.

One victim, a housewife, shared her unfortunate experience. Initially investing Rs4,000 based on the persuasion of another woman, she received a Rs200 profit on the first day.

Encouraged by promises of even greater returns, she convinced 10 more women in her neighborhood to invest.

However, a week later, the app abruptly shut down, and the administrator disappeared with both the invested capital and profits.

Another victim revealed that his investment of Rs0.3 million and referrals to over 200 friends resulted in significant losses for all involved.

He urged government intervention against the app’s administrator, emphasising the fraudulent practices that enticed citizens with promises of high profits.

Read more: Pakistani rupee snaps losing streak against dollar

Yet another victim highlighted the deceptive nature of the app’s investment packages and unfulfilled promises of returns, ultimately shutting down before meeting its commitments.

The funds generated through the app were withdrawn through various mobile cash points.

In response to the widespread fraud, FIA officials have initiated an investigation into the online earning app.

They are actively collecting evidence, indicating that the app operated deceptively under a referral programme, misleading citizens into believing they were making legitimate profits.

While preliminary findings suggest that the app’s administrator may have fled the country, confirmation is still pending.

According to Express, in the meantime, citizens are strongly advised to exercise caution in online transactions due to the prevalence of fraudulent schemes targeting unsuspecting individuals.