Tips to Avoid Falling Victim to Online Job Scams: Man Loses Rs. 20 Lakh on Telegram

A young engineering graduate named K Harshavardhan from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, fell victim to an online job scam, resulting in a loss of a significant amount of Rs. 20 lakh. Harshavardhan, who had recently completed his engineering degree and was enthusiastic about starting his career, decided to explore job opportunities on the internet. He followed the recommendation of his friend Krishna Chaitanya Reddy and joined a Telegram group called “Developer Professionals,” which purported to assist young individuals in securing software jobs.

One fateful day, while Harshavardhan was browsing job postings in the group, he came across someone posing as an employer. This person offered him a job at LTI Mindtree Limited in Bengaluru, but there was a catch – he asked for ₹20 lakh in return for this opportunity. Eager and hopeful, Harshavardhan agreed and began transferring the money in several installments in July and August, India Today reported.

However, when Harshavardhan contacted LTI Mindtree Limited in Bengaluru to collect his appointment letter, he got a shocking revelation – it was a fake job offer and he had fallen victim to a scam. Realizing that he had been duped, he immediately reported the incident to the police, who in response filed an FIR.

Job scams have recently become a major concern for job seekers. Many have fallen prey to scammers promising lucrative opportunities.

Protect yourself during your job search, especially online, by following these tips:

1. Beware of unrealistic offers: If a job offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Scammers often lure victims with promises of high salaries, incredible benefits or quick promotions.

2. Avoid clicking on links: Do not click on links from unknown sources. They may redirect you to dangerous websites or downloads.

3. Guard Personal Information: Never give out important information to unknown callers, especially if they are looking for it by phone or text.

4. Act fast: If you suspect a scam or phishing attempt, act fast. Delete the message or end the call without revealing information.

5. Protect personal and financial information: Never share sensitive personal or financial information such as bank account details, Aadhaar card number or passport details with potential employers until you have verified their legitimacy. And remember, don’t pay without proper confirmation – including physical confirmation.

Stay alert and be careful when searching for jobs both online and offline to avoid falling prey to job scams like Harshavardhan’s.