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JOB SCAMS IN INDIA
A Complete Guide to Protecting Yourself
From Phishing Attempts and Fraudulent Job Offers
By
Career Coach Vikram Anand
All Rights Reserved. CareerSpark Advisors LLP
www.vikramanand.com
Hello, friend!
My name is Vikram Anand, and I have been helping professionals like you navigate the
job market for many years. I understand how exciting it feels when you see a job
opportunity.
I also understand how scary it is when that opportunity turns out to be a scam.
I wrote this e-book because I have seen too many good people lose their hard-earned
money to fraudsters. Smart people. Educated people. People just like you and me.
These scams are becoming so clever that even the most careful person can fall into the
trap.
In this book, I will share real stories from India. I will show you exactly how these
scammers work. Most importantly, I will give you simple steps to protect yourself and
your money.
Think of me as your friend who has already learned these lessons. I am here to make
sure you don't have to learn them the hard way.
Let's begin this journey together. Your safety is important to me.
Warm regards,
Career Coach Vikram Anand
All Rights Reserved. CareerSpark Advisors LLP
www.vikramanand.com
What's Inside This Book
Chapter 1: The Scary Truth About Job Scams in India
Chapter 2: Types of Job Scams You Must Know
Chapter 3: Real Stories That Will Open Your Eyes
Chapter 4: Warning Signs - Red Flags to Watch For
Chapter 5: How to Verify If a Job Offer is Real
Chapter 6: What to Do If You Have Been Scammed
Chapter 7: Your Action Item Checklist
Chapter 8: Important Resources and Helplines
Final Words: Stay Safe, Stay Strong
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www.vikramanand.com
Chapter 1: The Scary Truth About Job Scams in India
Let me share some numbers that might surprise you. These are not stories. These are
facts. 56% of job seekers in India have faced job scams(Source: ETHRWorld).
Yes, more than half! This means if you are looking for a job, the chances are very high
that a scammer will try to contact you.
In 2022 alone, job seekers lost a massive Rs. 150 crore to fake job scams. That's not a
small amount. That's people's life savings. That's money meant for children's education.
That's retirement funds. Gone. Just like that.
In January 2024, 30,000 people reported losing over Rs. 200 crore through work-from-
home job schemes in just one month. (Source: TOI) Think about it. 30,000 people in 30
days. That's 1,000 people every single day.
A survey found that 42% of WhatsApp users in India have received fraudulent job offers
(Source: Business Standard). These messages promise easy work-from-home jobs.
They ask for a small payment to start. And once you pay, they disappear.
Why Are Job Scams Growing So Fast?
There are a few reasons why scammers are winning:
1. High unemployment: When jobs are hard to find, people become desperate.
Scammers use this desperation.
2. Easy online access: Scammers can reach thousands of people with one
WhatsApp message.
3. Anonymity: On the internet, scammers can hide their real identity.
4. Lack of awareness: Many people, especially fresh graduates, don't know how to
spot a fake job.
The IT sector is most affected, with 43% of scams targeting tech professionals. Retail
and e-commerce (29%), finance (22%), and healthcare (4%) are also hit hard.
But here's what breaks my heart: 75% of people believe that victims are partly
responsible because they didn't verify the company before paying. This is not fair.
These scammers are very clever. They know exactly how to trick you.
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Chapter 2: Types of Job Scams You Must Know
Scammers are creative. They have many tricks. Let me show you the most common
ones so you can recognize them immediately.
1. Task-Based Scams (The Most Dangerous)
This is the scam that is stealing crores from Indians right now. Here's how it works:
•
You receive a WhatsApp or Telegram message offering a "part-time job"
•
The job is simple: Like YouTube videos, follow Instagram accounts, write Google
reviews
•
They promise Rs 50-250 per task. You can earn Rs 5,000 to Rs 20,000 daily
•
You do first few tasks FREE. They actually pay you Rs 150-300
•
You start trusting them
•
Then comes the trap: "Prepaid tasks" that require you to deposit money first
•
The more you deposit, the more they ask. Your money gets "frozen" and you
need to pay more to "release" it
This is called the "pig butchering" scam. They fatten you with small wins, then slaughter
you for big money.
2. Fake Offer Letter Scams
Scammers create fake offer letters from big companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HDFC.
These letters look very real. They have company logos, signatures, employee IDs.
•
They send you SMS: "Your resume has been selected for TCS"
•
They conduct fake interviews
•
They send official-looking offer letter
•
Then they ask for "security deposit" or "processing fee" of Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000
Remember: Real companies NEVER ask for money from candidates. NEVER.
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3. Work-From-Home Scams
These scams target people who want flexible jobs:
•
Data entry jobs requiring you to buy "software"
•
Online surveys that need "registration fees"
•
Typing jobs that require expensive "training kits"
•
Customer service positions needing "equipment deposit"
4. Fake Recruitment Agency Scams
These agencies promise to find you a job for a fee:
•
They charge Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 for "placement services"
•
They conduct fake interviews to look legitimate
•
They have fancy offices and professional websites
•
After taking your money, they either disappear or keep saying "we are searching"
Truth: Legitimate recruiters are paid by EMPLOYERS, not by job seekers.
5. Overseas Job Scams (The Most Horrifying)
This is not just about money. This is about your life and freedom. Thousands of Indians
have been trafficked to Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
The process:
•
Agents promise high-paying IT jobs in Thailand, Dubai, or Bangkok
•
They charge Rs. 1-5 lakh for visa and processing
•
Once you reach Bangkok, they smuggle you across borders
•
Your passport is taken away
•
You are forced to work in scam call centers for 12-18 hours daily
•
If you refuse, they beat you, give electric shocks, or starve you
The United Nations estimates over 220,000 people are trapped in these scam
centers. Many are Indians. As of 2024, over 5,000 Indians were reported trapped in
Cambodia alone.
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6. Phishing Scams
These come as emails or messages that look official:
•
"Click here to apply for job at Google"
•
"Update your application for Microsoft"
•
The link takes you to a fake website that steals your personal information
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Chapter 3: Real Stories That Will Open Your Eyes
These are not made-up stories. These happened to real people in India. I share them so
you can see how clever these scammers are.
Story 1: The Chennai Woman Who Lost Rs 7.7 Lakh
Radhika (name changed) had just quit her job because she was pregnant. She wanted
a work-from-home job. She saw a Facebook ad about earning money by watching and
reviewing videos.
Here's what happened:
•
She paid Rs 100 to watch 3 videos
•
She received Rs 300. She was happy!
•
She paid Rs 1,000. Got Rs 1,300
•
She paid Rs 2,600. Got Rs 3,900
•
In 3 hours, she earned Rs 2,000+. She trusted them completely
•
Then came Bitcoin "investment opportunity"
•
Her investment got "frozen" due to teammate's mistake
•
She paid Rs 50,000 to release it. Still frozen
•
Kept paying. Used credit cards. Total loss: Rs 7.7 lakh
The lesson: They build trust with small wins before the big theft.
Story 2: The Nashik Woman Who Lost Rs 15 Lakh
In 2023, a 44-year-old woman from Nashik, Maharashtra, lost Rs 15 lakh in a work-
from-home scam. She was looking for extra income to support her family. The
scammers were professional and patient. They took their time to build trust before
asking for larger amounts.
The lesson: Scammers are patient. They will wait weeks to gain your trust.
Story 3: The Hyderabad Engineer Who Lost Rs 51 Lakh
This is one of the biggest individual losses. An engineer in Hyderabad lost Rs 51 lakh in
a Telegram-based task scam.
The scammers showed fake wallet balances and profit dashboards. Every time he
deposited money, his "balance" showed huge profits.
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But when he tried to withdraw, they demanded more money to "unlock" his earnings. He
is an educated engineer. Yet he fell for the trap.
The lesson: Education doesn't protect you. Awareness does.
Story 4: The Delhi Woman Who Lost Rs 17 Lakh
A 29-year-old woman in Delhi was approached through Telegram. She was told to do
simple online tasks. The scammers used cryptocurrency to move the money, making it
hard to trace.
Police later arrested 5 people including a 19-year-old school dropout and a 47-year-old
illegal crypto trader. These are not criminal masterminds. These are ordinary people
who chose to cheat others.
Story 5: The Chandigarh Disaster
In Chandigarh alone, police registered 181 cases of Telegram task scams. Residents
lost Rs 3.97 crore in just a few months. Among the victims were chartered accountants,
legal advocates, and bank employees. These are professionals who deal with money
and law. Yet they got scammed.
The lesson: No profession makes you immune to scams.
Story 6: The Overseas Nightmare - Saddam from Maharashtra
Saddam Sheikh from Palghar district received WhatsApp calls offering a job in Thailand.
He met the agent in Delhi and paid Rs 1.4 lakh for visa processing.
Instead of Thailand, he was smuggled to Myanmar. His passport was taken. He was
forced to work in a scam call center. If he didn't meet targets, he was beaten. He
somehow escaped and returned to India on April 19, 2024.
Thousands of Indians are still trapped in such places. The Indian government has
rescued over 1,600 citizens from Myanmar since 2022. But many more remain trapped.
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Chapter 4: Warning Signs - Red Flags to Watch For
If you remember nothing else from this book, remember these red flags. If you see even
ONE of these signs, STOP and walk away.
Money Red Flags
1. They ask for ANY payment: Registration fee, security deposit, processing fee,
training fee, equipment fee - these are all scams
2. Promise of refundable deposit: "Pay Rs 10,000 now, we'll refund when you
join." They won't
3. Salary too good to be true: Rs 50,000 per month for liking videos? Rs 1 lakh for
data entry? Not real
4. Need to invest to earn: Any job requiring you to invest money is a scam
Communication Red Flags
1. Personal email addresses: Jobs offered from gmail.com, yahoo.com,
hotmail.com instead of company domains
2. WhatsApp or Telegram only: Legitimate companies don't recruit only through
messaging apps
3. International numbers: Especially +91 numbers with different prefixes or foreign
country codes
4. Poor English: Spelling mistakes, grammar errors in official communications
5. Generic greeting: "Dear Candidate" instead of your name
Process Red Flags
1. No interview: You got job without any interview or assessment
2. Urgency: "Pay today or lose the job." "Limited time offer." "Only 5 spots left"
3. Vague job description: Cannot clearly explain what work you will do
4. Too easy requirements: "No experience needed" for high-paying jobs
5. Unsolicited offer: You didn't apply but received job offer
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Information Red Flags
1. Asking for bank details early: Before you even join
2. Asking for Aadhaar, PAN before offer: These are needed only after you accept
offer
3. Credit card information: No job needs your credit card details
4. UPI PIN or OTP: NEVER share these with anyone
Company Red Flags
1. No website or poor website: Check if website has https:// and looks
professional
2. New website: Use domain age checker. If website is very new, be careful
3. No LinkedIn presence: Most legitimate companies have LinkedIn pages
4. Cannot find address on Google Maps: Real companies have real offices
5. No registration with MCA: Check Ministry of Corporate Affairs website
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Chapter 5: How to Verify If a Job Offer is Real
Before you respond to any job offer, do these verification steps. They take time, but they
can save you lakhs of rupees.
Step 1: Check the Email Domain
Real companies send emails from their official domains.
REAL: careers@tcs.com, recruitment@infosys.com, hr@wipro.com
FAKE: tcs.recruitment@gmail.com, infosysjobs@yahoo.com,
wipro.hr.india@hotmail.com
Important: Scammers can make email appear to come from real domain. Check the
actual sender address, not just the display name.
Step 2: Verify Company on MCA Website
Visit the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website: https://www.mca.gov.in
Search for the company name. Check if it's registered and active. If company doesn't
exist in MCA database, it's fake.
Step 3: Check Company's Official Careers Page
Go directly to the company website (type it yourself, don't click links in emails). Look for
"Careers" section. See if the job you received offer for is listed there.
Major companies have verification tools:
•
TCS: Offer letters have QR code for verification. Call 1800-209-3111 or email
careers@tcs.com
•
Infosys: Has verification portal on their website. Check infosys.com/careers for
details
Step 4: LinkedIn Investigation
1. Search for the company on LinkedIn
2. Check number of employees
3. Look at employee profiles - are they real people with histories?
4. Search for the recruiter who contacted you
5. Message existing employees to verify
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Step 5: Google the Opportunity
Search for:
•
"[Company name] job scam"
•
"[Company name] fake offer letter"
•
"[Phone number] scam"
•
"[Email address] fraud"
If others have been scammed, you will find warnings online.
Step 6: For Overseas Jobs
If the job is outside India:
•
Check if recruitment agent is registered: www.emigrate.gov.in
•
By law, agents cannot charge more than Rs 30,000 + 18% GST
•
You must get WORK VISA, not tourist visa
•
Check MEA advisories before traveling
Step 7: Trust Your Instincts
If something feels wrong, it probably is. Ask yourself:
•
Would a real company hire this way?
•
Why would they need my money?
•
Is the salary realistic for this work?
•
Why are they in such a hurry?
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Chapter 6: What to Do If You Have Been Scammed
If you have been scammed, don't panic. Don't feel ashamed. Many intelligent people fall
for these scams. What matters now is acting FAST. The quicker you act, the better your
chances of recovering your money.
The Golden Hour - Act Within 1 Hour
Call 1930 immediately. This is India's National Cybercrime Helpline. It's available 24
hours, 7 days a week. When you call:
•
Give details of the transaction
•
Share the account number where you sent money
•
Provide transaction ID and date
•
They will try to freeze the scammer's account before money is withdrawn
In Goa alone, cybercrime cell has frozen Rs 6.73 crore using this system. In Haryana,
timely reports have 20-30% success rate for recovery.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Step 1: Report Online (Within 24 Hours)
Visit: https://cybercrime.gov.in
•
Click on "Report Cyber Crime"
•
Select "Report Other Cyber Crime"
•
Fill in all details accurately
•
Save your complaint ID - you will need this
Step 2: Inform Your Bank
•
Call your bank's fraud helpline
•
Request them to flag the transaction
•
Ask to freeze your account if needed
•
Change all passwords and PINs
Step 3: Visit Local Police Station
•
File an FIR (First Information Report)
•
Bring all evidence: screenshots, emails, messages
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•
Bank statements showing transactions
•
Get a copy of FIR for your records
Step 4: Document Everything
•
Take screenshots of all communications
•
Save phone numbers and email addresses
•
Keep records of all transactions
•
Do NOT delete anything - this is evidence
Step 5: Apply for Money Recovery
If your money has been frozen in scammer's account, you can apply to get it back:
1. Apply to District Legal Services Authority (DLSA)
2. Your case goes to Permanent Lok Adalat
3. They can issue refund order within a week
4. Bank releases frozen amount to you
Step 6: Report Spam/Fraud Messages
Visit https://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in to report spam messages and calls.
Important Reminder
Do not feel ashamed. These scammers are professionals. They practice this every
day. They know exactly what to say and do. Many doctors, engineers, lawyers, and
even police officers have been scammed.
The important thing is to act fast and report. Your report can help police catch these
criminals and save others from becoming victims.
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Chapter 7: Your Action Item Checklist
Before Applying
□ Verified company exists on MCA website
□ Company has official website with https://
□ Job posting exists on company's official careers page
□ Email is from official company domain (not gmail/yahoo)
□ Company has LinkedIn page with real employees
□ Googled "[company name] + scam" and found no warnings
During Recruitment Process
□ They did NOT ask for any money
□ They conducted proper interview
□ Job description is clear and realistic
□ Salary matches industry standards
□ They are not creating urgency or pressure
□ They did not ask for bank details, Aadhaar, PAN before offer
After Receiving Offer Letter
□ Called company's official number to verify offer
□ Verified offer letter using company's verification tool (if available)
□ Checked for spelling mistakes in offer letter
□ Verified signatory's name and designation are real
□ Offer does NOT require any payment from me
For Overseas Jobs
□ Agent is registered on emigrate.gov.in
□ Fee charged is not more than Rs 30,000 + 18% GST
□ I will receive proper WORK VISA (not tourist visa)
□ Checked MEA advisories for that country
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□ Have address and contact of Indian Embassy there
My Personal Rules
□ I will NEVER pay any money to get a job
□ I will NEVER share OTP, UPI PIN, or passwords
□ I will NEVER invest money to earn from a job
□ I will ALWAYS verify before trusting
□ If something feels wrong, I will walk away
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Chapter 8: Important Resources and Helplines
Save these contacts in your phone right now. You never know when you might need
them.
Emergency Helplines
National Cybercrime Helpline: 1930 (Available 24x7)
National Cybercrime Portal: https://cybercrime.gov.in
Police Emergency: 100
Company Verification
Ministry of Corporate Affairs: https://www.mca.gov.in
Overseas Agent Verification: https://www.emigrate.gov.in
Government Resources
Ministry of External Affairs: For overseas job advisories and help for Indians abroad
Report Spam Messages: https://www.sancharsaathi.gov.in
Reserve Bank of India Ombudsman: For bank-related fraud complaints
Legal Aid
District Legal Services Authority (DLSA): Contact your local DLSA for free legal aid
in cyber fraud cases
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Final Words: Stay Safe, Stay Strong
My dear friend,
If you have read this book completely, you are now more prepared than 90% of job
seekers in India. You know the tricks. You know the warning signs. You know what to
do if something goes wrong.
Remember these three golden rules:
•
NEVER pay money to get a job. Real companies pay you, not the other way
around.
•
ALWAYS verify before trusting. Five minutes of checking can save five lakhs
of rupees.
•
TRUST your instincts. If something feels wrong, walk away. There will be other
opportunities.
The job market is tough. I understand your desperation. But please, never let that
desperation make you careless. These scammers are waiting for that moment of
weakness.
Share this knowledge with your friends, family, and colleagues. The more people know
about these scams, the harder it becomes for scammers to succeed.
Your dream job is out there. You deserve it. And you will find it. Just make sure you
reach it safely.
Stay safe, stay strong, stay vigilant.
Warm wishes,
Career Coach Vikram Anand
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www.vikramanand.com
Need More Help with Your Job Search?
I hope this guide has been helpful to you.
If you want to take your job search journey further, I would love to help you personally.
In my job search programs, I help professionals like you:
•
Build powerful resumes that get noticed
•
Prepare for interviews with confidence
•
Navigate the job market safely and effectively
•
Find legitimate opportunities that match your skills
•
Negotiate better salaries
Get in touch with me at:
hello@vikramanand.com
My team and I respond to every email.
Let's work together to find you the job you deserve - safely and successfully.
Your success is my success.
— Vikram Anand