Student Duped Of Rs 44,000 In Fake Job Offer Scam: How To Stay Safe

The growing use of online job portals has made employment opportunities more accessible, but has also led to an increase in the number of scammers targeting job seekers. A recent incident has again brought to light why it is important for job aspirants to verify job opportunities.

In one such case, a student from Indore allegedly lost nearly Rs 44,000 after falling victim to a fake recruitment scam linked to a data entry job.

How The Victim Was Targeted

The fraudsters contacted the student after claiming that his application had been shortlisted for a data entry position. They collected his personal and professional details and informed him that he had been selected, subject to completing a telephonic interview as part of the hiring process.

According to a report in The Times of India, the student was asked to pay Rs 1,800 as a selection fee, with the assurance that all but Rs 50 would be refunded to continue with the recruitment. He was later informed that he had cleared the interview, but the callers allegedly kept demanding additional payments, including another Rs 1,800, followed by Rs 8,500, and further amounts towards service charges and goods and services tax (GST). They repeatedly assured him that the money would be refunded.

The victim eventually made eight online transactions, through which the accused allegedly collected nearly Rs 44,000. When neither the promised appointment letter nor the refunds arrived even after a long wait, he approached the cyber helpline. 

The incident indicates that scammers can use recruitment processes, which may seem genuine, to target job seekers. 

How to Protect Yourself

Before applying for or accepting a job offer, verify the employer through its official website, verified contact details, or recognised recruitment channels. Be cautious if a recruiter asks for payments at any stage of the hiring process which includes selection fees, registration charges, service fees, or taxes, as genuine employers generally never ask candidates to pay for recruitment.

If you suspect that a job offer is fraudulent, don’t make any payments and don’t share emails, messages, call details. 

Such incidents can be reported to the National Cyber Crime Helpline (1930) or through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal.