Hyderabad: Dream Jobs or Deadly Traps? Hyderabad’s Scam Surge
Local Youth Falls for Part-Time Lure
A young man from Chilakalaguda in Hyderabad spotted a part-time job ad on social media and reached out. A woman gathered his qualifications over the phone, followed by a quick video interview from another person.
They then demanded Rs 1.5 lakh for registration, insurance, and a security deposit, sending a fake offer letter for a Bengaluru IT firm. He only realized the deception after traveling there and finding no such job.
Businessman Duped in Overseas Promise
A trader from Bahadurpura had been hunting for work abroad when a phone message caught his eye.
The scammers assured him of a New Zealand visa and a role in a top company, asking for documents via email.
After a supposed foreign affairs interview, they collected Rs 5 lakh in phases through bank transfers. Once paid, they vanished, leaving him with empty promises and heavy losses.
Growing Wave of Job Frauds in Telangana
Graduates in fields like engineering, MBA, MCA, and pharmacy often seek opportunities to support their families without strain.
Yet, enticing ads lead many into traps, with cases rising yearly across online and offline channels in the state. Authorities note a sharp increase in complaints, fueled by economic pressures on the unemployed.
How Fraudsters Build False Trust
Cyber groups harvest details from job sites and contact victims via email or WhatsApp, posing as experts with polished interviews.
Some assign small tasks and even pay minor amounts daily for weeks to foster belief. Once hooked, they pitch extra earnings through referrals or stock investments, only to flee after securing large sums.
Recent Crackdowns by Police
Hyderabad’s cybercrime unit recently nabbed 61 suspects, with 25 tied to fake part-time roles targeting youth.
In September alone, 59 arrests spanned eight states, recovering over Rs 8 crore for victims. Similar operations in Cyberabad led to 13 detentions and Rs 1.69 crore refunds, highlighting coordinated efforts against these networks.
Overseas Scams Add to the Menace
Beyond local gigs, frauds promising foreign jobs have spiked, like cases sending victims to Russia under false pretenses, even forcing some into conflict zones.
Three Telangana men lost Rs 38 lakh to a Hyderabad consultancy for nonexistent overseas positions. National trends show India facing Rs 1.2 lakh crore in cyber losses this year, with job offers a key vector.
Expert Advice to Stay Safe
DCP Kavitha urges immediate reports to the toll-free 1930 helpline at any suspicion of foul play. Legitimate firms never request upfront payments for jobs. Victims should act fast to freeze funds and aid investigations.
- Verify company details through official sites before engaging.
- Avoid sharing personal data without confirmed legitimacy.
- Report suspicious ads to cyber authorities promptly.