Hyderabad youth duped ₹1.5 lakh in fake job scam
HYDERABAD: A youth from Chilakalguda in Hyderabad lost ₹1.50 lakh after responding to a social media advertisement promising a job offer.
After he contacted the number, a woman collected his educational details, followed by a video interview conducted by another person. Later, he was asked to pay registration, insurance and security deposit charges. Once the payment was made, he received a fake offer letter in the name of a Bengaluru-based IT company. When he went there, he realised he had been cheated.
Many graduates and postgraduates — including those with engineering, MBA, MCA and pharmacy degrees — are falling prey to such scams while seeking opportunities to avoid burdening their families. Online and offline job fraud cases are rising each year in Telangana.
Recently, Hyderabad Cybercrime police arrested 61 fraudsters, 25 of whom were involved in duping youths through fake part-time job offers.
How cyber gangs operate
Cybercriminals gather job seekers’ details from employment portals and contact them via email or WhatsApp. They conduct interviews appearing professional and even credit small amounts as “daily earnings” for 15–20 days to build trust.
Once the victims are convinced, the fraudsters propose higher income through commissions or stock market investments in the company’s name. After collecting large sums, they disappear.
“Job seekers must remember that genuine companies never ask for payment before offering employment. Those who suspect cyber fraud should immediately report it to the toll-free number 1930,” Cybercrime DCP Kavitha said.
Fake overseas jobs add to growing concern
A trader from Bahadurpura, Hyderabad, searching for overseas opportunities, recently lost ₹5 lakh. He received a message promising a visa and a job in a reputed New Zealand firm. After exchanging documents over email and undergoing a video interview allegedly with a foreign representative, he transferred the money in instalments. The fraudsters vanished soon after.
