A Delhi job seeker lost Rs 2.7 lakh in a fake overseas job scam. (Representative image)
Photo : iStock
Sometimes, job seekers looking for overseas opportunities are cheated by fraudsters posing themselves as employers. A recent incident in Delhi shows how easy it is for a fraudster to exploit the dream of a better life. Raja Kumar, a 27-year-old Saket resident, had been promised a lucrative hotel job in Kuwait and was duped of a whopping Rs 2.7 lakh.
Kumar was approached by a man named Mukesh Sahni, who promised him a well-paying job in Kuwait together with an attractive salary and overtime benefits. Sahni assured Kumar that he was managing all the paperwork, which convinced Kumar to agree. In due course, Sahni started asking for payment to process the visa, medical tests, and other fees while entertaining the thought that this procedure was for securing the overseas job. Upon considering it to be normal, Kumar made repeated payments to Sahni.
Nevertheless, things started getting suspicious after a while. The whole situation got into a different scenario, with Sahni providing Kumar with a phone number to a person called Sagar, who was to pick him up from Noida Sector 18 Metro Station and take him to the embassy. Kumar waited for hours, but Sagar did not show up. Upon calling, Sagar’s answers were hazy and unconvincing, ringing some alarm bells in Kumar’s mind.
Kumar realised he was a victim of a scam and collected whatever evidence he had – chat logs, bank statements, and fake documents – and then went to the police. The authorities have now swung into action to investigate the case, but Kumar’s cautionary tale should be a stark reminder that job hunting abroad comes with risks.
How to Protect Yourself from Fake Job Scams
- Always verify job offers through official channels to ensure their legitimacy.
- Be wary of requests for upfront payments for job-related expenses, as these are often a red flag.
- Trust your instincts; if something doesn’t feel right, it’s better to walk away.
- Research the company or individual offering the job by looking for reviews or complaints.
- Never share your personal or financial information with unknown individuals online or over the phone.
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