“Congratulations, You’ve Got the Job!”
Rohit’s heart raced as he read the email.
“Dear Candidate, we are pleased to inform you that you have been shortlisted for a position with XYZ International. Kindly pay a processing fee of ₹10,000 to confirm your interview slot.”
He had applied for several jobs on Naukri.com, and this one, an opportunity in Dubai, seemed perfect. High salary, international exposure, and a big brand name. Too good to be true, right?
It was.
Rohit paid the money. A week later, he got another email requesting ₹25,000 for visa processing. Then another for documentation.
Before he realized what was happening, he had lost over ₹50,000. And the recruiters? Gone. The number was switched off. The email bounced back.
Rohit wasn’t the only one who got trapped in the Naukri.com scam
The Scam That Shook Thousands
In April 2025, the UP Police cracked down on a massive job scam where fake recruiters had siphoned off crores from over 1.2 lakh victims across India.
The scam exploited job portals like Naukri.com to collect resumes and then preyed on desperate job seekers, offering them high-paying jobs abroad.
The scam was so sophisticated that even professionals, engineers, doctors, and MBAs fell for it.
The racket was being operated from a call center in Kanpur, where dozens of ‘executives’ made calls every day, pretending to be recruiters from well-known companies.
They used fake company websites, caller ID spoofing, and even email addresses that looked strikingly similar to legitimate firms.
“Sir, You Need to Pay or Face Legal Action”
Sumit Singh, a third-year B.Tech student, got a call that sent chills down his spine.
“Mr. Singh, this is a final notice from Naukri.com. You have ignored our emails regarding job interviews. As per our policy, you are now required to pay ₹49,000 as a penalty, or we will take legal action against you.“
You will also be banned from working with MNCs for seven years.”
Sumit almost panicked. The tone was authoritative, the threats sounded real. But something felt off.
So, he played along.
“Oh really? Then why don’t you send the legal notice to my home address?” he replied, suppressing a laugh.
The caller hesitated. Then hung up.
That’s when he knew he had almost been scammed.
How the Scam Worked
The criminals behind this fraud used multiple tactics:
- Data Theft: They accessed job seekers’ details, including phone numbers and email addresses, from online job portals.
- Fake Job Offers: They sent emails or made calls offering high-paying jobs abroad.
- Advance Fees: They convinced victims to pay for ‘processing,’ ‘visa approvals,’ or ‘security deposits.’
- Caller ID Spoofing: Their numbers appeared as official company lines, making the scam seem more legitimate.
The scam was so well-planned that even those who Googled the recruiter’s name found a website, except it was fake, built to fool people.
“We Do Not Charge for Jobs”—Naukri.com’s Response
Naukri.com, the biggest job portal in India, finally responded to the rising scam complaints.
“We do not charge candidates for job placements. If someone is asking for money in our name, it is a scam. Please report such incidents immediately,” the company said in a statement.
Despite this, job seekers continued to fall victim, mostly due to the desperation and urgency of finding employment.
The scammers knew this, and they exploited it ruthlessly.
What Can You Do to Stay Safe?
One afternoon, Rohit sat at a café with his friend, venting about his ordeal.
“I should’ve known better,” he sighed, stirring his cold coffee.
His friend, Priya, raised an eyebrow. “What were the red flags?”
“Well, first, they asked for money up front. Then, their email wasn’t from an official domain, just some Gmail ID. And the job sounded too good to be true.”
Priya nodded. “Exactly. Always verify directly with the company before paying anything.”
Here’s how you can stay safe too:
- Verify Every Job Offer – If a recruiter contacts you, search for the company’s official website and call their HR department directly.
- Never Pay for a Job – Genuine companies do not ask candidates for money.
- Check Email Domains – Official recruiters use company emails, not Gmail or Yahoo.
- Beware of Urgency and Threats – Scammers pressure victims to act fast. Take your time and verify.
How to Report Fake Job Scams?
No wonder so many people from students to young professionals, and even senior citizens, are falling victim to fake job scams, losing anywhere from lakhs to crores.
While it’s always best to stay cautious from the start, if you’ve already been trapped in any of such scams, don’t panic & act fast.
Register with us and let our team assist you in reporting your case. The sooner you take action, the higher your chances of getting recovery of losses.
Remember: The faster you act, the better your chances of getting a refund.
Final Thoughts
Job hunting is stressful. And scammers take advantage of that desperation. But by staying informed, alert, and skeptical, you can avoid becoming the next victim.
As for Rohit? He learned his lesson the hard way. The next time a recruiter calls with a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity, he knows exactly what to do.
“Sure, I’ll pay the fee,” he’ll say. “Just let me confirm with the company’s HR first.”
Click. Beep.
