Beware Job seekers!
Job seekers across India, especially freshers and mid-level professionals, are being targeted through fake listings on popular job portals and LinkedIn. These scams have evolved far beyond email fraud. Cybercriminals now create entire fake HR profiles, cloned websites, and simulated interview processes to appear legitimate. Victims are promised remote jobs, international roles, or high-paying packages, only to be exploited for money or data.
In 2023, a Hyderabad tech graduate lost ₹6.5 lakh after being recruited by a fake HR from a reputed MNC. She was asked to pay “training fees,” “document processing charges,” and “international verification costs.” The communication was seamless, Zoom calls, email threads, even a fake appointment letter. By the time she reported it, the scammer’s profile had vanished.
These frauds are engineered to bypass suspicion. They use professional email templates, mimic domain names, and even run simulated assessment tests. Some victims are asked to complete fake projects as part of the interview, free labour for cyber gangs running backend operations. Others are pushed to install spyware in the name of job tools, allowing scammers to steal passwords, bank access, and ID proofs.
LinkedIn has seen a surge in cloned profiles of real HR professionals from companies like TCS, Wipro, Accenture, and even government agencies. These profiles often copy real photos and work histories to gain credibility. Victims are contacted through InMail or WhatsApp with lucrative “internal referrals” and “fast-track roles.” Once hooked, they’re asked to pay for onboarding kits, work-from-home devices, or refundable deposits—which never return.
This scam ecosystem also targets job seekers emotionally. People desperate for employment are easy to manipulate. In some cases, the victims were made to record video KYC calls, which were later edited and misused for identity fraud and blackmail. In NCR, a man was arrested for running a fake IT hiring network that duped over 300 candidates across five states in just 2 months.
Job portals often disclaim liability, saying users must verify listings independently. But most people lack the resources or awareness to spot fakes crafted with such precision. India urgently needs tighter KYC protocols for recruiters, AI-based listing moderation, and active takedowns of suspicious job profiles.
Always verify recruiter identities directly with the company. Never pay any money for a job. Do not download files or software sent via personal email or chat. And if anything feels off—report it before you become the next data theft victim.
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ABOUT ‘AKANCHA SRIVASTAVA FOUNDATION’
The Akancha Srivastava Foundation is India’s leading social impact initiative dedicated to advancing cyber safety awareness and education. Established in February 2017, this not-for-profit Section 8 organization is a trusted voice in promoting safe online practices across the nation.
Distinguished Board of Advisors
Guided by an honorary advisory board of esteemed leaders:
- Former Special DGP RK Vij (Chhattisgarh Police)
- ADG Navniet Sekera (Uttar Pradesh Police)
- ADG Krishna Prakash (Maharashtra Police)
- Dr. Poonam Verma (Principal, SSCBS, Delhi University)
Our Mission
The Foundation is committed to educating, empowering, and building bridges between the public and authorities on critical cyber safety issues. Additionally, we specialize in forensics training for law enforcement, equipping them with the skills needed to tackle cybercrime effectively.