The promise of easy money can be a powerful lure, but for many, it can turn into a months-long ordeal of deception and financial loss. ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist) workers, who serve as crucial links between communities and healthcare services, are increasingly becoming targets of sophisticated scams. These scams often begin with a simple phone call, a seemingly harmless interaction that can quickly escalate into a nightmare.
One such incident highlights the vulnerability of ASHA workers. It started with an unknown number flashing on the ASHA worker's phone – a foreign VPN line. A smooth voice on the other end informed her that she had won a mega lottery and promised diamonds, gold, and a cash prize of ten lakh rupees. All she had to do was pay a small "processing" fee. This marked the beginning of a carefully constructed lie that shattered her life and sanity.
The initial call opened the door to a web of deception. Fraudsters maintained constant contact, employing emotional manipulation and instilling fear to keep her hooked. One transaction led to another, as they coaxed her into sending more and more money. She would take odd jobs, collect some money, and send it to her invisible "masters." In total, she lost Rs 4 lakh to the lottery scam over one and a half months.
In another incident in Maharashtra, a man was arrested for allegedly cheating four ASHA workers of more than Rs 24 lakh by promising them jobs in the state health department. Between March 2021 and June 2024, the accused collected money from the ASHA workers, and provided them fake appointment letters.
These are not isolated cases. Several reports indicate a rise in scams targeting ASHA workers, exploiting their trust and dedication to community service. In Assam, for example, an ASHA worker allegedly swindled 50 women out of Rs 65,000 by promising them monthly rations and financial assistance under a fake relief scheme. Similarly, in Odisha, a pregnant woman lost Rs 17,000 after scammers posed as health department officials and contacted a local ASHA worker to get the victim's information. In Hyderabad, 1,300 people lost Rs 1.6 crore in a fake ASHA worker job ad.
The psychological impact of these scams can be devastating. The ASHA worker from Madhya Pradesh, who lost Rs 4 lakh, disappeared for weeks, travelling across cities under the fraudsters' control. The conmen sent a kidnapping video to her husband and demanded a ransom of Rs 2 lakh. When she was found, she was disoriented and weak and still believed that the fraudsters were "good people" and she would be rewarded in the end.
These incidents highlight the need for increased awareness and vigilance. ASHA workers, often working in challenging conditions and with limited resources, are vital assets to the healthcare system. Protecting them from such fraudulent activities is essential. Authorities are now tracking the cyber trails of these scams, but the process is complex as the fraud often originates from foreign IP addresses.
It is crucial for ASHA workers and the public to be wary of unsolicited calls promising easy money or jobs. Verifying the legitimacy of such offers with relevant authorities is essential. Additionally, increased awareness campaigns can educate ASHA workers about the various types of scams and how to avoid falling victim to them.
