Like and Rate Task Scam — How to Identify & Stay Safe

INDIA — By BharatSecure Threat Intelligence Team · Updated May 27, 2026

Severity: CRITICAL | View Full Scam Details

DANGER: The "Like and Rate Task" Scam 2026 – Easy Money Promises, Real Crypto Loss in India

Be warned, a dangerous new twist on an old job scam is sweeping across India, promising easy income for simple tasks but leading to significant financial loss and mental distress.

What Is the Like and Rate Task Scam?

The "Like and Rate Task" scam is a cunning employment fraud where scammers trick individuals into believing they can earn substantial money by performing trivial online activities, like liking social media posts, subscribing to YouTube channels, or leaving fake reviews for products or hotels. It preys on the aspirations of many Indians, particularly students, homemakers, and those seeking supplementary income, by offering a seemingly effortless path to financial gain. This scam has seen a massive surge across India, with countless victims reporting losses to authorities like the Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre (I4C). Fraudsters exploit popular communication channels like WhatsApp and Telegram, making their initial outreach feel personal and credible.

Initially, these fraudsters present themselves as representatives of legitimate-sounding companies or "digital marketing agencies." They promise attractive daily or weekly payouts, often showing fake dashboards that display increasing 'earnings' to build trust. The trap usually involves a small initial payout to the victim's UPI ID or bank account, creating an illusion of legitimacy and making the victim believe the earnings are real and achievable. This tactic is extremely effective in convincing individuals, especially those new to online job searching, that they've found a genuine opportunity.

The scam then escalates, moving from simple, free tasks to "paid" or "VIP" tasks that require the victim to invest their own money. They're told that by pre-paying a sum, they can unlock higher-paying tasks and accelerate their earnings. This critical turning point is where most victims are ensnared, as they are convinced their initial investment will yield far greater returns. As reported by numerous individuals and highlighted by advisories from various cybersecurity agencies, the promise of easy money quickly turns into a nightmare of lost savings.

How This Scam Works — Step by Step

The "Like and Rate Task" scam follows a predictable, manipulative pattern designed to extract money from victims.

1. The Initial Lure (WhatsApp/Telegram): You receive an unsolicited message on WhatsApp or Telegram from an unknown number. The message promises part-time work with high daily income for simple tasks like liking YouTube videos or leaving Google reviews. They might claim to be from a well-known company or a "hiring agency."
2. Building Trust with Small Payouts: You're asked to complete a few basic tasks. After completing these, the scammer actually pays a small amount (e.g., ₹100-₹500) directly to your UPI ID or bank account. This small, immediate payment convinces you that the job is real and legitimate. They might even provide a "dashboard" where you can see your "earnings" grow.
3. Introducing "Prepaid" or "VIP" Tasks: Once trust is established, the scammer introduces "higher-paying" or "VIP" tasks. These tasks require you to "recharge" or "invest" a certain amount of your own money first, promising even larger returns. They might use terms like "order grabbing," "task packages," or "investment tasks."
4. The Trap — Increasing Investments: You'll complete an "investment task," and your virtual dashboard will show a significantly increased balance. However, when you try to withdraw, you'll be told there's an "error," or you need to "verify" your account by investing an even larger sum. Reasons include "tax issues," "server errors," "higher VIP levels," or "account freezing" until more money is deposited.
5. Crypto Conversion (The Final Blow): Often, victims are then pressured to convert their INR into cryptocurrency (like USDT/TRC20) claiming it's for easier transactions or higher returns. They will provide bank accounts or UPI IDs for transferring funds, which are typically mule accounts. These crypto transfers are nearly irreversible.
6. Disappearance: Once you've transferred a substantial amount and keep asking for withdrawals, the scammers will block you from all communication channels (WhatsApp, Telegram) and disappear, taking all your invested money with them.

Real Warning Signs to Watch For

• Unsolicited Messages: Any job offer that arrives out of the blue on WhatsApp or Telegram from an unknown number is a huge red flag. Legitimate companies don't typically recruit this way.
• Promise of High Returns for Minimal Effort: Be skeptical of any job promising significant daily income (e.g., ₹2,000-₹5,000) for simple tasks like liking videos. If it sounds too good to be true, it almost certainly is.
• Initial Small Payouts: While seemingly reassuring, this is a classic psychological trick to build trust before demanding larger investments.
• Requests for "Investment" or "Recharge" for Tasks: A genuine job will never ask you to pay money to start working or to unlock higher-paying tasks. Your employer pays you; you don't pay them.
• Pressure to Convert Money to Cryptocurrency: Scammers frequently push victims to transfer INR into cryptocurrencies, as these transactions are often harder to trace and reverse than traditional bank transfers.
• Vague Company Details & Website: The 'company' will have a generic name, a poorly designed website (if any), and no verifiable physical address or proper contact information.
• Virtual Dashboards showing "Earnings": These are fake tools designed to manipulate you into believing your money is growing. The numbers are entirely fabricated.

What Happens to Victims

The impact of the "Like and Rate Task" scam is devastating, far beyond just financial loss. Victims in India have reported losing lakhs of rupees, often their life savings, or money borrowed from friends and family. The money, once transferred, especially through cryptocurrency or mule accounts, is extremely difficult to recover, as the transactions are often irreversible. This loss can push individuals and families into severe financial distress, leading to debt and even health issues.

Beyond the monetary aspect, victims often experience immense emotional trauma, including guilt, shame, and helplessness. Many feel foolish for falling for the scam, even though these schemes are incredibly sophisticated and well-executed. The psychological toll can be profound, affecting mental health, relationships, and trust in online interactions. In some serious cases, victims have even been pressured into unknowingly becoming "money mules," facilitating illicit transactions for the fraudsters, which can have legal consequences. The fear of Aadhaar or UPI misuse for further fraudulent activities also looms large for victims who may have inadvertently shared personal details.

What RBI and CERT-In Say

Both the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) have consistently warned the public about various online frauds, including those promising easy money. While specific advisories on "Like and Rate Task" scams might be embedded within broader warnings about job frauds and online financial cons, the message is clear:

• RBI's Caution Against Unauthorised Businesses: The RBI frequently reiterates that the public should be cautious of unsolicited calls, emails, or messages offering easy money, lucrative schemes, or investment opportunities from unverified entities. They warn against sharing bank details or making payments to unknown accounts for such promises.
• CERT-In's Alerts on Phishing and Scams: CERT-In regularly issues advisories on phishing attacks and online scams designed to trick individuals into parting with their money or sensitive information. They emphasize the importance of verifying the authenticity of any job offer or investment scheme.
• 1930 Cybercrime Helpline: Both agencies indirectly support and point towards the national cybercrime helpline 1930 and the portal www.cybercrime.gov.in as primary resources for reporting such incidents. These resources are critical for citizens to report financial fraud promptly.

Remember, legitimate financial institutions and government bodies will never ask you to download third-party apps for transactions or demand money for jobs or services through unsolicited messages.

How to Protect Yourself

1. Be Skeptical of "Easy Money" Offers: If a job promises substantial daily income for minimal effort or simple tasks, it's almost certainly a scam. True income requires genuine work.
2. Never Pay to Get a Job: A legitimate employer will always pay you for your work; you should never have to pay them to start working, for training, or to "unlock" tasks.
3. Verify Company Authenticity: Before engaging, thoroughly research the company. Check their official website (not just one linked in a message), look for genuine reviews, and verify their physical address and contact details. A simple Google search can reveal a lot.
4. Guard Your Personal Information: Never share sensitive details like your bank account number, UPI PIN, Aadhaar details, OTPs, or credit/debit card numbers with unsolicited contacts.
5. Avoid Unsolicited Links/Apps: Do not click on suspicious links or download any apps from unknown sources sent via WhatsApp or Telegram. These can install malware or lead to phishing sites.
6. Do Not Convert to Crypto Under Pressure: Reject any request to convert your money into cryptocurrency (like USDT) for "easier transactions" or "higher returns." This is a tactic to make your money untraceable.
7. Trust Your Gut Feeling: If