In recent years, a new form of scam has been gaining traction. This scam mimics typical product review activities found in online shopping experiences but can ultimately lead to significant financial losses. Today, we will discuss one such scheme known as the ‘Order Project’ scam. Readers are advised to stay vigilant to avoid falling victim.
Case Study: The ‘Order Project’ Scam
A woman in her 30s, referred to as Ms. A, recently received a call from an unknown number. The caller offered her an opportunity to earn points by writing reviews on a particular online shopping site. As Ms. A was already engaged in product review activities, she accepted the offer without much suspicion. Initially, she received points as promised, and the polite and professional demeanor of the event staff put her at ease.
Later, the event staff introduced her to a new opportunity called the ‘Order Project,’ promising that she could earn money at her convenience. Ultimately, Ms. A got involved in this project, and it resulted in her losing a staggering sum of 91.5 million KRW.
Structure and Execution of the Scam
The ‘Order Project’ required Ms. A to purchase products upfront, after which she would receive her original investment and profits in the form of points. Initially, small purchases led to immediate point rewards, making the transactions appear genuine, as if they were from a legitimate online shopping platform.
Ms. A was then invited to a Telegram chat group, where she was instructed to purchase products through 12 stages, each requiring an increasing amount of money, culminating in a final stage that demanded several million KRW. Seeing the money being deposited into her account, Ms. A gradually increased her investment, which ultimately led to significant losses.
How Did She Fall for This Scam?
Ms. A initially trusted the process due to the small investment that built trust early on. The website she was directed to, H Site, closely resembled a regular online shopping platform, and early withdrawals of her earnings further reinforced her trust.
Such scams often exploit the lure of “easy money,” drawing victims into investing more over time. However, it is essential to remember that there is no such thing as a free lunch. Any proposal that promises easy and significant earnings should always be approached with skepticism.
Scam Prevention and Avoidance
To avoid falling victim to such scams, keep the following in mind:
- Do not respond to messages or calls from unknown numbers.
- Always be skeptical of offers that seem too good to be true.
- Avoid using websites or services with unverified sources.
- Share such cases with others to raise awareness and prevent further incidents.
Conclusion
The ‘Order Project’ scam is a prime example of the increasingly sophisticated scams we face today. It is crucial to maintain a cautious and skeptical mindset. If someone offers you a way to make easy money, beware of the hidden risks.
We hope that our readers will stay safe and not fall prey to such scams. Always be vigilant and keep an eye out for better personal finance and mental management strategies.