Fake jobs scam uncovered in Bihar, 200 rescued: Tips to avoid scam | Personal Finance

Purnea is located near the border between Bihar and West Bengal and is therefore advantageous for the traffickers’ business.

How did the racket work?

The accused had started an online bogus job business where unsuspecting people were persuaded to transfer Rs 21,000 as placement fee. However, when they reached Purnea, they were locked in rented accommodation and threatened. “The accused ran an online bogus job business and those who contacted them were asked to transfer Rs 21,000. When they reached Purnea, they were threatened and locked in certain rented accommodation. They did not get jobs as promised by the accused,” the police statement added.

The rescue operation was triggered by Akhil Mandal’s escape and the subsequent report to the SP office. “Somehow Akhil Mandal managed to escape and filed a report with the SP office,” the police said.

CBI uncovers another job fraud scam

In another case, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested 10 people, including a sepoy who was dismissed in July, for running a scam in which they were promised jobs in the Indian Army, Territorial Army, Assam Rifles and other institutions in exchange for money. According to the CBI investigation, the accused had amassed over Rs 143 crore in his and his wife’s accounts between 2020 and 2022.

NIA arrests in human trafficking case

Earlier this year, on May 27, 2024, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) arrested five people suspected of being involved in a similar fake job scam. The NIA revealed that the accused were part of an organised human trafficking syndicate that lured young Indians abroad with false promises of legal employment. “NIA’s investigations have revealed that the accused were part of an organised human trafficking syndicate that lured and trafficked Indian youths abroad with false promises of legal employment. The youths were forced to work in fake call centres and were coerced into illegal activities online,” the NIA said in a press release.

How to recognize fake job advertisements

With the number of fake job offers on the rise, it’s important to recognize the warning signs of a scam before you become a victim of one yourself. According to Randstad, a recruitment consulting firm, these are ten signs to look out for when searching for job offers:

1. When it comes to money: You will be asked to transfer money for a medical examination, a work permit application or even to attend a job interview.

2. Lack of a legitimate online presence: The company does not have a website or a corporate social media account.

3. Suspicious email addresses: The job offer comes from a private email, a “no-reply” email or not from an official company domain such as Randstad.

4. You have not applied: Be cautious if you are offered a job you never applied for.

5. Too good to be true: The job offer seems incredibly tempting, with promises that do not correspond to reality.

6. Unclear job description: If the job description is vague or too short, that is a warning sign.

7. Poor use of language: Job advertisements or messages full of typos and grammatical errors are suspicious.

8. Random social media posts: It is not a good sign to find the job posting in random social media communities.

9. Limited communication channels: They only communicate through social media or messaging platforms such as Facebook and WhatsApp.

10. Querying personal data: Be cautious when you are asked for sensitive personal information, such as your mobile number or ID photo, via messaging platforms.

Protect yourself from fraudulent job offers

“If you are looking for a job, you should not respond to unsolicited job advertisements in any Facebook groups or messaging platforms. Always be cautious when you receive suspicious job offers via email, social media or messaging platforms such as Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp. In addition, if you receive calls from unknown numbers offering you jobs, it is best not to get involved,” Randstad advises on its portal.

Never share your personal or banking information with people or companies you do not know, as this will compromise your privacy and security.

The increasing number of such incidents has prompted the Indian Ministry of External Affairs to issue an alert. On May 17, 2024, the Ministry of External Affairs warned Indian citizens through Thailand about fake job advertisements in Laos, where individuals were offered positions such as “digital sales and marketing executives” or “customer service” by dubious companies. “Recently, cases have also come to light of Indian citizens being lured through Thailand for employment in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (DPR) – also known as Laos. These fake job advertisements are for positions such as “digital sales and marketing executives” or “customer service” by dubious companies,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in the alert.

First published: September 19, 2024 | 5:58 p.m. IS