Indian police bust fake job call centers scamming unemployed youth
UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA — India’s Lucknow Police have dismantled a sophisticated job fraud racket, arresting nine individuals for operating fake call centers that preyed on unemployed youth.
According to Hindustan Times, the scammers posed as recruiters from top companies, extorted money in exchange for forged job offers, and vanished, leaving victims with worthless appointment letters.
Fake recruiters, forged offers, and vanishing acts
Through phone calls, WhatsApp messages, and emails, the scammers promised people high-paying jobs and requested either a processing fee or a training fee, after which they vanished as soon as they sent a fake offer letter.
The police confiscated laptops, mobile phones, forged documents, and digital evidence during raids in Azad Bihar Colony and near the Outer Ring Road underpass.
To make them appear legitimate, the gang even conducted fake interviews to deceive job seekers, using scripts, call lists, and templates.
“The gang created an illusion of legitimacy as they even had scripts, call lists, and templates ready. The victims genuinely believed they had landed jobs at major firms,” said a senior officer from the surveillance cell.
More than 100 victims in various states have been identified so far, with an investigation underway to determine the actual scope of the scam.
Data leaks and financial trails
The accused purchased job seekers’ data from a Noida-based portal for ₹15,000 (US$172.73) per month, allowing them to target victims efficiently. Call center employees, paid ₹8,000 (US$92.12) to ₹10,000 (US$115.15) monthly, were tasked with extracting money under false pretenses, including fake police verification fees.
Authorities are now tracking two absconding suspects, Sandeep Singh and Santosh, while forensic teams analyze seized devices.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act have been utilized to prosecute cases, and the police are attempting to freeze illegal transactions.
The fraud highlights the weaknesses in personal data protection and suggests that there should be tighter control over recruitment sites.
How to spot and avoid job scams
Authorities caution that legitimate hiring procedures do not charge applicants to apply, train, or undergo a background examination—all of which are typical of recruitment scams.
Real employers will use official company channels for communication, conduct organized interviews, and provide explicit job information. In contrast, internet scammers will use generic emails, unclear job descriptions, and pressure victims into making rushed decisions.
Job seekers should be keen to cross-check company information, ensure proper job post advertisement, and commend recruiters through reputable and reliable channels, such as LinkedIn.
Staying vigilant for these warning signs and refusing to share personal or financial information can help prevent falling prey to such illegal activities.
