Online job frauds are a growing menace in India, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic that has left many people unemployed or underemployed. According to a report by QuikrJobs, 56 per cent of job seekers in the country are impacted by job scams1. These scams involve fake recruiters or companies that lure unsuspecting candidates with attractive offers of employment, but then ask them to pay money for registration, training, verification, or other fees. Once the money is paid, the fraudsters disappear or demand more money, leaving the victims stranded and cheated.
Some of the common ways that online job frauds operate are:
Sending unsolicited emails or messages on WhatsApp, Telegram, or other platforms claiming to offer jobs in reputed companies or abroad12.
Posting fake advertisements on online job portals, newspapers, or social media with spoofed email ids or phone numbers3.
Creating fake websites or profiles of companies or recruiters and asking candidates to apply online or upload their resumes4.
Conducting fake interviews or tests over phone or video calls and asking candidates to share personal or financial details5.
Offering huge salaries or incentives that are too good to be true and asking candidates to pay money upfront or share bank account details64.
To avoid falling prey to online job frauds, job seekers should be vigilant and cautious while searching for jobs online. Some of the tips to prevent online job frauds are:
Do not respond to unsolicited emails or messages that offer jobs without any proper verification or screening process1.
Do not pay any money to anyone for getting a job or for any other purpose related to employment3.
Do not share your personal or financial details such as Aadhaar card number, PAN card number, bank account number, OTP, etc. with anyone over phone or email5.
Do thorough research about the company or recruiter before applying for a job. Check their website, social media presence, reviews, ratings, etc. and verify their contact details3.
Be wary of jobs that offer very high salaries or incentives that are unrealistic or disproportionate to your qualifications or experience4.
Be careful of jobs that ask you to work from home without any proper contract or agreement2.
If you become a victim of an online job fraud, do not panic or lose hope. There are some steps that you can take to recover your money and seek justice. Some of the steps are:
Report the fraud to the nearest police station or cyber cell as soon as possible. Provide them with all the details and evidence of the fraud such as emails, messages, screenshots, receipts, etc.3
Contact your bank and inform them about the fraud. Request them to block your account or card if you have shared your details with the fraudsters3.
File a complaint with the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) at 1800-11-4000 or 14404 or online at https://consumerhelpline.gov.in/3.
File a complaint with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) at 1800-11-4422 or online at https://www.mca.gov.in/ if the fraud involves a registered company3.
File a complaint with the online job portal where you found the fake advertisement or profile and request them to remove it3.
Online job frauds are a serious threat to the livelihood and dignity of millions of job seekers in India. By being aware and alert, we can protect ourselves and others from these scams and help create a safe and secure online environment for employment.
