Scams & ImpersonationImpact: ₹10,000+ & Identity documents stolen
A Promise on LinkedIn
Threat Type: Fake Job Recruitment & Fee Fraud
What Happened
A young software engineer received a LinkedIn DM offering a dream job abroad with an irresistible salary. The conversation moved to WhatsApp, followed by a convincing video interview with a professional-looking panel. After being 'selected,' she paid a ₹1,000 registration fee, then escalating charges for documentation, processing, and visa paperwork. She paid nearly ₹10,000 and surrendered sensitive identity documents before discovering no such recruitment drive had ever existed — the panel, offer letters, and HR team were all part of an elaborate facade.
How It Was Resolved
- •Victim verified directly on the company's official career portal and confirmed no matching job listing existed.
- •Filed a comprehensive cyber crime complaint with all transaction records and screenshots of fraudulent communications.
- •Alerted her bank to freeze linked payment channels and began the process of securing her exposed identity documents.
Red Flags to Watch For Next Time
- •Job offers that quickly move off LinkedIn to WhatsApp or Telegram for 'interviews' and further communication.
- •Requests for registration fees, processing charges, or security deposits before an official joining date.
- •Offer letters from unverified domains or recruiters without company email addresses.
Steps to Protect Yourself
- •Never pay any fee to secure a job offer — legitimate employers do not charge candidates for recruitment, processing, or onboarding.
- •Verify all recruitment opportunities directly on official company career portals and call corporate switchboards to confirm openings.
Need help with a similar situation?
Don't wait. Reach out to our response team immediately.